Gulf | Bahrain
Report on induction of opposition members into Shura Council denied
A senior official on Wednesday denied a media report alleging that the government has informed the presidents of the societies that boycotted the 2002 elections that some of their members would be appointed to the Shura (Lower House) Council.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 April 6, 2006
Manama: A senior official on Wednesday denied a media report alleging that the government has informed the presidents of the societies that boycotted the 2002 elections that some of their members would be appointed to the Shura (Lower House) Council.
"Such reports have become quite common as we are getting ready for the parliamentary elections and after some societies indicated their intention to end their boycott and join mainstream politics, but they are not true," the official told Gulf News.
The source admitted that communication channels between a government official and political figures from the Opposition were open, but added that "these must not be regarded as leading to appointments to the Shura Council".
A local newspaper on Tuesday said the four presidents of the boycotting societies had received assurances from a government middleman that some of their iconic figures could be appointed to the Shura.
The report added that the presidents "neither accepted nor rejected the offer, but promised to study it carefully".
Analysts told Gulf News that even with the change of their tactics and their readiness to take part in the elections, the opposition societies would not be able to capture more than 15 seats because of the competition and the lack of coordination between them.
"The Shura appointment could help them change the parliamentary landscape in their favour," the analysts said. King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa every four years appoints the 40 members of the Shura, the second house in Bahrain's bicameral parliament.
The Council of Representatives, the Lower House with its 40 members elected directly by the people, does not include any member from the four societies which boycotted the elections, demanding more reforms and greater powers for the elected MPs.
The government has maintained that the Shura Council appointment system offered an opportunity to women and minorities to be represented in the parliament.
Six women, a Jew and a Christian sit in the Shura whereas only men, all Muslims, currently sit in the Council of Representatives.
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