Voting is a sacred duty, says Islamic scholar

Manama: One of Bahrain's most senior Sunni scholars yesterday said that voting in the parliamentary and municipal elections was a sacred religious duty.

Shaikh Abdul Lateef Al Mahmoud issued his statement hours before about 295,000 Bahrainis are scheduled to cast their ballot.

"Some of the ideas expressed by the candidates ... are compatible with Islam ... but some of them are not. Therefore, it is the duty of all people not to abstain from voting because the event ... will affect every aspect of our lives," the scholar, known for his moderate views, said.