Bahrain poised for municipal elections

Preparations are in full swing in Bahrain aimed at preparing the people for the forthcoming municipal council elections by political organisations, social clubs, cultural societies and other associations as part of the reforms initiated by the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

As part of this programme there have been seminars, symposiums, lectures and other gatherings taking place all over the island with the aim of achieving one common goal - encourage the people's participation and ensure the success of this experiment for which the island has been longing for years.

They all welcomed the Municipal Law issued last month by an Emiri Decree as a demonstration of the reforms which provide full and equal participation of men and women alike in the election process.

One of the largest seminars of its kind on this subject, which brought together almost all Bahraini political groups , was held on January 3 at the Saar Club and chaired by Dr Mansoor Al Jamri, son of prominent Shiite leader Sheikh Abdul Amir Al Jamri, who until recently demanded political reforms from exile in London.

The mere fact that Dr Mansoor Al Jamri himself chaired this seminar in Bahrain had shown the extent to which the political atmosphere has changed and reconciliation achieved within the Bahraini society, and that too, within a brief period of less than a year.

The seminar pointed out that the Bahrainis are eagerly waiting for the election law and by laws to the Municipality Law which are essential for holding municipal council elections.

Commenting on the forthcoming municipal council elections Dr Mansoor told Gulf News yesterday that the revival of municipal election will herald a new phase in Bahraini politics.

With all the reservations about the shortcomings of the decrees relating to municipality and elections, all Bahrainis are eager to positively participate in order to ensure the success of the reform programme.

Al Eslah Society President Sheikh Isa Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa who is also the founder member of National Islamic Association and a leading lawyer has described the new municipality law, first to be introduced and addressing the rights of people, as an important step towards democracy.

"The law has many positive aspects though it is not perfect and provides for five independent municipal councils each with a director general and thus there is no reason for reservation," stated Sheikh Isa.

Meanwhile the chairman of National Democratic Action Society, NDAS, Abdulrahman Nuaimi who expressed the hope that there will be coordination between the authorities and the elected councils had stated that it remains to be seen how successful this experiment will be in decentralising the authority.

The NDAS which has a total of 350 members, 30 per cent of whom are women, started dividing its members according to the five municipal regions to identify prospective candidates.

On the other hand the founding member of Al Wasat Islamic Democratic Association Abdulla Al Huwaihi had emphasised the need to give Bahrain's political groups to discuss and review the new laws before they are passed by the government as they might come out with new ideas and visions which might help inprovethe draft law.

Al Menbar Democratic Progressive Association, founded by 360 members and describing itself as a "liberal" political group is planning to field its own candidates and currently busy finalising its programme and election manifesto.

Founded by 116 people the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society has vowed to work towards national unity by trying to involve people from all villages in the process.