Manama: More than 270 people have used the hotline set up by the Bahrain Transparency Society to report poll irregularities in the run-up to the parliamentary and municipal elections, says its chief.
"We have received dozens of calls from people who told us about violations of the laws and regulations governing poll campaigns, and we call upon the law-breakers to comply with the text and spirit of the elections," BTS head Jasem Al Ajmi told Gulf News.
He said that his society, actively involved in the monitoring of the campaigns, has registered 79 violations ranging from oversized banners and posters, out-of-place billboards, attacks on the character of contenders, dissemination of lies and rumours, anti-women calls and the use of mosques to promote candidates. "We have evidence that three Friday preachers used their sermons to promote specific candidates and direct voters for whom they should vote next Saturday," Al Ajmi said.
Religious leaders have been accused throughout the campaign of not adopting a neutral stance and of seeking to influence the outcome of the elections, a move that has been harshly criticised by independent candidates, women and secularists. "We have been told about religious leaders who have been using their social clout to ask voters not to endorse female candidates. This is totally unfair and we reiterate our call for a neutral stance from the religious establishment and religious leaders," Al Ajmi said.
The BTS head also deplored the undue influence exerted by religious leaders on independent candidates to withdraw from the race. "This behaviour defeats the purpose of elections and the right of voters to make their own choice about their candidates," he said.
Al Ajmi added that with less than a week left before the November 25 elections, people should learn to keep their composure and rein in their tempers.
"Our society is aware of how arguments have turned nasty and led to heated exchange of accusations between supporters. We call upon all people to display a high sense of fair play and to be more tolerant of divergences and different views," said Al Ajmi.
