A landmark first step for Bahrainis

In line with the political reforms that Bahrain has undertaken, the country has proceeded with its municipality election. It is the first time that all members of the municipal councils will be elected, as opposed to the old practice of half the members being elected and the other half appointed by the government. In this election, women have been given the right to vote and to be nominated as candidates. It is important to note that Bahrain is divided into five governorates, each of which has a municipal council. Ten members will be elected to each municipal council. The municipal councils will be responsible for monitoring the important public utilities such as health, housing and environment and issuing regulations in this regard. The Arab press discussed this election and its implications.

* It is important when people prioritise public interests over personal interests that they choose the right person for the right position. This requires that they leave behind personal considerations such as family ties, writes Mohammad Al Othman in Akhbar Al-Khaleej (Bahrain).

However, it is regrettable that some people ask others to abstain from voting by claiming that the municipal council is merely ornamental as it has no authority over the ministry concerned and that its functions are not really important. Although we agree that the role of the council is confined to giving suggestions and recommendations, we believe that the minister will find the member more convincing as he represents a large sector of the nation and, in the end, he will approve the proposals submitted by the municipal council, adds Al Othman.

Thus, we ask religious scholars, intellectuals and media persons to encourage people in these elections to counter the allegations and scepticism that the council will not benefit citizens in any way, is merely decorative, cannot be developed, and its authority cannot be enlarged on par with municipal councils in some Western countries where they have the power of local rule in their respective districts, says Al Othman.

It is probable that because national political participation was not allowed for a long time, it has had an impact on those who make these claims. Some sceptics raise questions such as how does a citizen benefit personally from such a council, and does he get an increase in salary. All these questions can be answered by another – does maintaining roads, enhancing cities' infrastructure and countering corruption not matter to any citizen, adds Al Othman.

If all this does not interest citizens, then what are they concerned about? Do those who don't care for the rights of their homeland and preservation of its resources deserve citizenship? In fact, we, as citizens, care for all these issues and so we should take part in these elections in order to choose the right person for the right place and protect our society from corruption, concludes Al Othman.

* The municipal election is considered the first step in the implementation of a democracy and national participation in the rule of the country after the declaration of the amended constitution, writes Dr. Majeed Al Alawi in Al-Khaleej (UAE).

The Bahraini National Charter and Constitution allows women the right to vote and to be elected to the municipal councils. Such a step places Bahraini women ahead of the Arabian Gulf women in terms of their political, social and constitutional role. Also, the municipal election is an important experience for all political factions, as it will reveal the balance of power of these factions both at the governorate and the national level, adds Al Alawi.

Despite the attempts of those who have been critical of and have reservations about the extent of authority that these municipal councils enjoy, most of the Bahraini people are enthusiastic about taking part in the elections, says Al Alawi.

It is anticipated that the election results will reflect the dominance of the political factions and family groups. Such dominance is not expected to continue in the next election unless the winners prove that they are qualified to present and defend the issues of the voters and enhance their living conditions, adds Al Alawi.

There are five main factions contesting these elections. These are the Islamic Sunni faction, the Islamic Shi'at faction, the national movements (left wing), the businessmen and technocrats (middle class), and the governmental group. There are indications that the two religious factions will rank first, the governmental group second, and the national and left wing factions third. The family and tribal groups will achieve good results in Al Muharaq and the southern governorate. In essence, the composition of the municipal councils will be an indication of the National Council that will be elected next autumn, says Al Alawi.

The positive attitudes that these elections mirror indicate that the country has surpassed the stage of political confrontation, towards a better future of constitutional and legal rights for both the citizens and the ruler. What is happening in Bahrain today is a dream that has been achieved after a persistent and patient national struggle to found a stronger country, concludes Al Alawi.

* The municipal election is, indeed, a test for the Bahraini society, as it will reveal the stand of this society in relation to women and their role. All Bahrainis should not hesitate to vote for women candidates, writes Dr. Fawzia Mattar in Al-Ayam (Bahrain). Several facts point to how women are eminently qualified for the role of representative in the municipal council irrespective of the constituency which the candidate represents. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but the electoral programmes of the women candidates prove this, states Dr. Fawzia.

Dr. Fawzia disagrees with the view that women better suit the role of representatives at the municipal council because their concerns as women are related to environmental aspects such as the proper disposal of waste materials, sewage, water, electricity, parks and children's playgrounds.

Such a view implies that housework and family duties are confined only to women while, in reality, these are the responsibility of the pillars of the family, the man and the woman, adds Dr. Fawzia.

The voter as such should view women as human beings and select them on the basis of their qualification, not their sex. However, there are many areas in which women outshine men. First, women who take such a step have the confidence, courage and ability to accomplish their duties since they have met the challenge and were nominated for candidacy, to contest against some men who leave the family responsibilities to women while enjoying their social life and others who see women from their patriarchal view of society, says Dr. Fawzia.

Second, our social experience has proved that women are dedicated to their roles and accomplish all their responsibilities. Women are patient, obsessed with perfection and take painstaking care over details. This has been the status of women in Bahrain through the ages.

In the past, men used to leave for their diving trips in search of pearls. While they were away, it was their womenfolk who handled all the responsibilities single-handedly. And, in modern times, women are successful in all the leadership and decisi