NGOs and human rights group to monitor Bahrain's election

Manama: Around 300 people, four NGOs and Bahrain Human Rights National Commission will be monitoring Bahrain's elections on October 23, the justice minister has said.

The 292 monitors are all independent and not affiliated with any political formation or candidate running for a seat in the lower chamber or municipal council, Justice Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa said.

The four NGOs are Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS), Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) and Bahrain Hiwar Society.

BHRS and BTS monitored the elections held in 2002 following a three-decade constitutional hiatus.

Boycott

They also monitored the national polls in 2006 when societies boycotted the 2002 vote, demanding more constitutional reforms.

According to the justice ministry, the monitors will be free to move between the polling stations.