Manama: A Bahraini lawyer who was one of the first women to contest in the 2002 parliamentary elections said that she would not run again this year.
"The Islamists' domination has resulted in a crippled lower chamber that serves only one ideology and does not represent other tendencies," Fatima Al Hawwaj said.
"The current members of the lower chamber do not want lawyers with them because their interests are politically-motivated and not related to legislation," she said.
Sunni and Shiite Islamists have 32 of the 40 seats in the lower chamber, with 17 MPs from Al Wefaq (Shiite), eight from Al Asala (Salafis) and seven from the Islamic Menbar (Muslim Brotherhood)
The composition of the 2010-2014 is not likely to be changed, most observers said, citing the strong power of religious societies on common people.
The conviction that there would be few changes has made many possible candidates reconsider their options.
"I ran in 2002 and although I did not win, I have achieved many other successes," Al Hawwaj said.
"I feel that as a lawyer, I can serve my country better in my capacity. I can express my viewpoints frequently, publish my opinions in the media and offer suggestions, so I am not running in the 2010 elections," she said.
According to initial figures, 11 women have so far said that they were considering running in the elections to be held in autumn.
