Manama: Bahrain's lower chamber speaker on Tuesday said that he would start procedures to replace a lawmaker in by-elections.
Former MP Ganem Al Buainain, who represented Al Asala, the Salafi movement, was appointed by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa on Monday as state minister for foreign affairs.
Under the bylaws, a by-election will be held in his constituency to elect a new lawmaker.
"As I declare that the seat of Ganem Al Buainain vacant, I will inform the justice and Islamic affairs minister to start the procedures for a replacement," Khalifa Al Dhahrani said at the parliamentary session on Tuesday. "Under the constitution, a new lawmaker has to be elected within two months."
Al Buainain was elected in the Eighth Constituency of Muharraq.
Two other members of the Shura Council, the upper chamber of the bicameral parliament, were also appointed state ministers on Monday and will have to be replaced.
By-elections are a rare occurrence, although a major voting took place last year to replace the 18 members of Al Wefaq who had resigned in February. Pleas from several quarters to make them reconsider their decision failed and the by-elections were held over two rounds.
