High turnout, high hopes for Bahrain Elections 2022

The minister also announced witnessing long queues at the booths well before polling began, with elderly voters dominating the initial hours.

People were seen patiently waiting for their turn in long queues while maintaining social distancing, with them also expressing their satisfaction at the hassle-free election process after casting votes.

When asked if a candidate or a person working for a candidate is in custody, the ministry said that the Supreme Elections Committee is concerned with crimes inside the polling centres.

“Those creating violations inside the polling centres will face Public Prosecution,” the minister stressed.

Tribune also talked to voters at various polling stations to learn about their experiences and expectations.

Nasser Al Rayedh, told Tribune: “We have a number of candidates who have made significant contributions in a variety of sectors, and I am confident that the incoming Parliament will be the most effective and accountable to the people in history.

I feel very proud to be a part of the democratic system.”

Another voter, who does not want to identify himself, said, “I am hopeful that almost all citizens would cast their democratic rights, for it is their important duty to elect their representatives.”

“I feel happy to come here and knowing maybe my one vote can change the dynamic, it is great to participate and let all perform this duty effectively and wisely so that we have the best policymakers who can serve good to the citizens.”

Started @ 8am

In an interim statement, the National Civil Team for Monitoring the Parliamentary and Municipal Elections confirmed the starting of the voting process in all governorates at 8 am.

Transparent ballot boxes

The officials also confirmed clearing all ballot boxes before voting began. “Since the ballot boxes are transparent, voters could easily see what is inside them.” The Daily Tribune also witnessed organisers at the voting stations assisting the elderly cast their votes.

The sub-polling station in the fifth constituency in Muharraq allocated wheelchairs.

After voting at Al Taiwan Secondary School for Boys, former independent MP Muhammad Ali Ishaqi described the process as “smooth and disciplined.” Also voting in the same booth was Eman Showaiter, a candidate.

Showaiter said citizens are well aware of the electoral process, and it is difficult to predict a winner in the run-off rounds.

Maryam Al-Sayegh, a candidate in the fifth constituency of the northern governorate, said after voting, “I am very optimistic and happy.”

Representative Falah Hashim was also seen voting in the early hours yesterday.

Falah Hashim and Maryam Al-Sayegh are vying for a parliament seat from the fifth constituency. Falah received 866 votes, while Al-Sayegh got 799 votes in round one.

Parliamentary candidate for the fifth constituency in Muharraq Governorate, Khalid Bu Anak, after voting, said that he expects to obtain more than 60% of the votes.

The electoral centre in Wadi Al-Sail, headed by Judge Badr Abdul Latif Al-Abdullah, also confirmed witnessing substantial turnout starting early morning.

Abdul Rahman Al-Maawda, head of the supervisory centre in the northern ninth district, said they failed to witness any rush, which he attributed to the exit of some candidates.

Counsellor Nawaf Abdullah Hamzah, Chairman of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Authority and Executive Director of the Parliamentary and Municipal Elections 2022, also confirmed the high turnout of voters, praising the keenness of citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

After placing his vote in the ballot box, Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, said that the tremendous participation in the second round confirms the desire of citizens to exercise their national duty.

“The positive atmosphere prevailing at the polling booths reflects the patriotism of Bahraini citizens and their commitment to the democratic process and reform project led by HM King,” he stressed.

Clear message to the world: Speaker

Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, after voting, said, “The large turnout is a clear message to the whole world that the people of Bahrain are capable of contributing positively to nation building and have a free will for change.”

“They are well aware of the importance of participating in the parliamentary and municipal elections to elect the most competent candidates.”

Free parking @ BIA

Meanwhile, the parking was free for voters casting their votes at the general polling and counting centre at the Bahrain International Airport yesterday.

BIA said they provided each voter free parking for two hours to facilitate the election process.

Dr Mirza votes @ BIC

Advisor to the Bahrain Oil and Gas Holding Company (nogaholding), Dr Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza, voted at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

He said that people are well conscious of the importance of heading to polling stations and electing the most qualified candidates to represent them in the Council of Representatives and the Municipal Council.

Chairman of the committee, judge Salah Ahmed Al-Qattan, said the voting proceeded with transparency in the presence of monitors, representatives of civil society organisations and media personnel.

Voice of Bahrain

Chairman of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Authority and Executive Director of the 2022 Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, Nawaf Abdullah Hamzah, said that yesterday only voters’ voices were heard in the Kingdom.

“The only voices heard are that of Bahraini voters, and all the others are neither heeded nor influential,” he said as he visited the polling station at the Seef Mall on the outskirts of Manama.

Huge turnout: Municipalities minister

“We are here today at the BIC public polling station witnessing yet again a successful turnout in the second round for electing their representatives.

The smooth and well-organised voting process reflects the positive democratic role adopted by Bahrainis,” Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Minister Wael Nasser Al Mubarak said.

The Head of the General Committee and Polling station at BIC, Moza Hassan Al Naar, also confirmed the large turnout in the voting process.

Jumaa Al-Mousa, head of the “Thamna Al-Asimah” polling station, confirmed the voting process there as smooth, without violations or complaints.

He also praised the cooperation of candidates Jaila Al-Sayed and independent candidate Hussein Idrabo.

Many skipped the morning rush:Counsellor Youssef Counsellor

Nayef Youssef, head of the Committee to Supervise the Safety of the Referendum and Elections in the Capital Governorate, confirmed the voting process as smooth across the Capital.

“Many chose to cast their vote after the morning rush, which wasn’t the case in the first round.”

He also said that the final results would be out early, considering there are two candidates per constituency.

Voting went smoothly in North: Al Mannai

 The head of the polling and counting committee in the northern twelfth constituency, Chief Prosecutor Judge Mishaal Ali Al-Mannai, hailed the remarkable presence of women and elderly at polling booths.

“We witnessed a distinguished presence of Bahraini women, who demonstrated a strong desire to exercise their right to vote.”

He also confirmed receiving no reports of violations from the governorate yesterday.

No violations: Dr Al Jazzaf

The head of the Polling and Sorting Centre in Rabaa Al Janubiyah, Judge Dr Ali Al-Jazzaf, said all candidates cooperated and recorded no violations. “We checked ballot boxes well before polling began in the presence of candidates and their agents, which contributed to the speedy completion of the voting process.”

High turnout @ Seef, Sitra

Attorney General Dr Amina Issa, who supervises the Elections Centre Committee in the Seef Complex, said the turnout was good and increased as the day progressed.

Sitra polling station also reported a heavy turnout of voters. “The high number of voters who have been coming to the station since 8 am reflects genuine keenness on exercising their constitutional right,” Judge Hassan Ali Khamis, the head of the polling station.

Festive mood

Meanwhile, teams of candidates are also found singing and distributing sweets and coffee to voters, creating a festival mood. One such scene happened yesterday in the fifth constituency of the Capital governorate.

First round 73%

The voter turnout in the first round was 73%. In 2018, it was 67%, the highest since the parliamentary and municipal elections began in the Kingdom in 2002.

A survey by the Bahrain Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Derasat) had predicted 63% to 69%% polling.

The survey said 85% of the participants believed that the Parliament has a substantial role in the nation’s progress.

“While 58pc participants said their MPs did not care much about the voters, 42pc responded otherwise.

The disapproval and approval percentages were 55pc and 45pc respectively for the municipal council members.”

The survey also found that 62pc of the citizens expressed satisfaction over the performance of the previous councils.

The voters consider employment the most pressing topic during the upcoming elections, followed by infrastructure development.

The opinion poll highlighted that the qualities the voters would seek in representatives are honesty, competence, education and a decent background.

Most of the respondents were optimistic about the future of Parliament and Municipal councils.