'Keep top national issues away from polls'

Manama: Bahrain's business community wants vital national issues away from election campaigning, fearing disastrous consequences.

"We have to be careful not to cause any tear in Bahrain's social fabric," Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Esam Fakhroo has said.

"The outcome of the elections and the formation of the new Council of Representatives should herald a new era of collective national action that would overcome any attempt to divide or split the nation."

According to the head of the influential business community, candidates and voters should approach the elections with a high sense of responsibility.

"We all need to work together to launch new values and yardsticks for political action that aims to consolidate national unity and cohesion," Fakhroo said.