Bahrain Election 2022 a massive democratic movement with record 78% turnout

The turnout, according to authorities, was also the highest on record in the Kingdom since 2002. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Ma’awda confirmed this late night yesterday in a press conference.

Meaning that out of the 344,713 voters eligible to vote, around 251,640 came yesterday to cast their votes.

The confirmation came as reports of leads started coming from the national and sub-polling centres in various governorates.

Polling and counting centres had closed their doors at 8 pm sharp and immediately kick-started preparation to count votes.

Over 500 candidates battled yesterday for 40 parliamentary and 30 municipal seats, including 94 women, more than double the 2018 figure.

Voters, including those who are differently-abled and even from their hospital beds carrying oxygen tanks, were seen lined up before polling booths well before the polling started yesterday.

Royal family members, deputy prime ministers, ministers, and top officials also cast their votes. Security was tight, with cops and other volunteers posted at every nook and corner to assist people at the polling stations.

Another unique aspect of this year’s election, however, was the presence of the beneficiaries of alternative penalties, assisting police officers.

Assisting cops yesterday were over 100 beneficiaries. Yet another notable aspect was the record turnout of women voters.

“We have seen an unprecedented number of women coming to this polling station since the start this morning,” said Hamad Al Ghallaf, the supervising judge at the Oqba bin Nafea Primary Boys’ School in Riffa.

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh hailed the massive turnout in the elections as a reflection of citizens’ awareness and keenness to exercise their political rights.

Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the people of Bahrain performed their national duty to achieve more comprehensive development.

His Majesty King’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, cast his vote at the BIC polling station.

The broad participation, HH said, indicates the people’s awareness of their role in the elections to elect the best representative.

His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, also cast his ballot at the BIC polling station.

In a statement, he praised the wide participation, especially the outstanding youth presence - both as candidates and voters in the elections.

Minor flaws

The National Institution of Human Rights (NIHR) said they detected some minor observations which did not affect the elections and corrected them.

The recommendations will be published later and available to all soon.

New success story

Expressing pride in the tremendous success of the electoral process, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, called the outcome a shining sign of the sustainability of the comprehensive democratic and development process of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.