Bahraini Regime Holds its Vote amid Calls for Boycott

Voting began on Saturday in the Arab Gulf country’s first parliamentary election since the opposition’s peaceful protests erupted four years ago with nothing changed in the regime’s behavior but more oppression and suppression.

 A host of opposition groups including al-Wefaq, the country’s most organized and popular opposition group, is urging supporters to stay away from the polls. Al-Wefaq accuses the government of not taking seriously enough reform efforts and improving reconciliation between supporters of Bahrain’s monarchy and a wide-range opposition movement.

 A total of 419 candidates are running for municipal and parliamentary seats Saturday. Any candidates that do not secure more than 50 percent of the vote will head to a runoff a week later.

The elections will determine the makeup of the lower house of parliament, which has limited direct powers but carries important symbolism as part of so-called ‘political reforms’ begun more than a decade ago. Members of the upper house are appointed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, whose family controls most senior government posts, including that of the unelected prime minister.

The elections are being watched closely by Bahrain’s Arab neighbors and Washington. Street protests continue to roil Bahrain in the wake of a 2011 uprising calling for greater political freedoms in the country, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Al-Wefaq withdrew its 18 members from parliament in 2011 after Bahraini authorities backed by security forces from neighboring Gulf states crushed the protests. By-elections were called to fill those seats, which increased the share of pro-government supporters in parliament.

Several opposition supporters remain behind bars following convictions related to the 2011 unrest, and a number of prominent rights activists are awaiting verdicts on politically motivated charges.

International world keep mum on all Bahraini regime’s misuse of power.

Al-Manar

Maher Taki