Manama: Why didn't I win in the first round? For Sabah Al Dossary, the answer is the presence of too many candidates in the constituency. On Saturday, when there is only one opponent, she will prove her point.
Sabah has courage. Enough courage to brave hostile prejudices that gripped Muharraq community and walk in places where women fear to tread.
Sabah was the first woman to sign up to run in the municipal elections and seek a seat on the Muharraq council. She will then become Bahrain's first municipal councillor.
"I was confident that I would make it since the first round," she said. "But since there were too many candidates, votes were dispersed and nobody could secure the required 50 per cent to win."
However, now that there are only two opponents, she was confident she would be the winner.
"I drew this conclusion from the strong support of the community members who have been communicating with me all the time. They have wonderfully supported in the first round and they will do it again on October 30," she said.
Major problem
Sabah has come a long way when in 2006 she submitted her application to seek the coveted municipal seat. She feels she has grown more mature and more confident.
"I do not experience any worries or fear. There is a strong sense of comfort. I know that I did my best and I am grateful for all those who have stood by met at all times. I get an average of 200 SMS a day from people telling me that they backed me up all the way," she said.
Her major problem? The allegations targeting her and her opponent, Ali Al Muqla, the candidate of Al Asala, the Salafi society.
"Some people are disseminating allegations about me or Ali Al Muqla and about presumed sectarian tendencies. That is not fair, either to me or to him. I wish that the sectarian allegations that have marred so many other constituencies would stop here," she said.
Serve the community
"Neither of us would adopt a sectarian agenda," she said.
However, Sabah wants to rein in the enthusiasm in the constituency about a woman councillor.
"It is great that I am now in the second round and I am confident about winning. However, if I do not make it, I will also serve the community. I am committed to it."
