Media Hub, Sheraton Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain has hosted the most successful elections in the parliamentary history on Saturday with turnout recorded over 67% at the close of the polling for the fifth term of elections of 40-member lower house of the Parliament.
His Excellency, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and the Chairman of the Supreme Committee of General Elections 2018 during post polling press conference applauded the overwhelming participation of the people of Bahrain, saying it made possible to carry forward the reforms initiated by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2002.
Bahraini voters turned out in large numbers to select their representatives at national and municipal level in polling on Saturday November 24, he said, adding that preliminary voter turnout has been up from 53% witnessed during the Kingdom’s last elections in 2014.
“The increased turnout builds on the success of the 2014 elections, and ensures a clear mandate for a parliament representing the diverse range of views in Bahraini society.”
Bahrainis’ commitment to exercising their ballot was a clear indication of Bahrainis’ support for the process of democratisation, he added, and showed their rejection of external forces who have deliberately sought to derail the electoral process.
The 2018 elections have seen a record number of women candidates, with 39 women standing election to the House of representatives and 8 for municipal councils.
The relative proportion of younger voters taking part in the elections also showed a significant increase, with more than 50,000 young men and women eligible to vote for the first time.
The close of polling stations at 8pm, following 12 hours’ voting, now sees the start of the count, which will continue overnight.
In all, 430 candidates are standing for election – 293 for the House of Representatives, and 137 for municipal councils.
The polling – and the count – are being monitored by 231 observers from four civil society associations in addition to the National Institute for Human Rights. Full judicial supervision of all stages of the electoral process has guaranteed its integrity.
The Parliament has significant powers to hold the government to account. These include the right to approve the State Budget and the upcoming Government Action Plan.