“Incitement on violence and chaos, reminiscent of the February 2011 unrest, to derail the forthcoming 4th legislative term polls would be deterred with the force of the law”, he said.
He was responding to Al-Wefaq Society secretary general, who addressed an event held at a worshipping venue in Samaheej, calling for an escalation of protests in the run-up to the elections.
He slammed the stance which came as the National Dialogue process is engaged to seek consensus regarding Bahrain’s political development. He slammed the crisis-mongering statements as contravening the culture of dialogue, democratic values and nation-building will, reproducing the same violence-inciting mantra with the aim of aborting the 2014 legislative elections.
Citing the decree-law 14 for 2002 on exercising political rights, he warned that any violator convicted of attempting to disrupt a referendum or the elections by force, intimidation or protesting would be sentenced to a maximum six months in jail and / or fine BD500.
The minister said that any can take the decision, either to run in the elections or boycott the polls, describing both options as guaranteed democratic practices.
He stressed the need for all parties to abide by the law and the democratic principles and the foundations of the civil state.
He underscored the importance of participation, fair competition, on the basis of sound political programmes to promote pluralistic political action and sustained development.
He warned against the drive to provide a cover for violence and incitement on chaos, stressing the need to steer away from the intimidation tactics and crisis-mongering which were used in the run-up to the 2011 by-elections.