Bahrain polls to demonstrate electorate’s ‘active involvement’

Manama: Bahrain’s elections will be held as planned in a new indication of the active involvement of all Bahraini segments in public life, whether in the three constitutional branches or in public establishments, a Bahraini minister has said.

“Bahrainis had participated effectively in the democratic process according to the National Action Charter and the Constitution over more than 12 years [and] organised four national elections with remarkable and exemplary success,” Sameera Ebrahim Bin Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs and the Official Spokesperson of the Government said.

“They are determined to carry on the democratic process, witnessed by the country since the beginning of the new millennium,” she said, commenting on reports that some political associations might boycott the parliamentary elections.

“Bahrain’s democracy is flexible and progresses according to [the] specific nature of the Bahraini society and its needs. Therefore, our democracy is able to accommodate various opinions, interests and demands according to the available constitutional mechanisms,” she said.

“All components of the society have the opportunity to participate in the political process and contribute positively and effectively in enriching and developing the democratic experience,” the minister said, quoted by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

She added that the participation in the elections was a “free national duty” and that the previous experiences had proved that some political societies would announce they would boycott the elections, while, in reality, they participated in municipal councils, the parliament and all state bodies through various mechanisms.

“They tend to float the idea of boycott in an attempt to open the door for foreign interference in our domestic affairs,” she said.

The minister added that the non-participation declarations being circulated in fact reflected the opinions of those who announced them as individuals.

“The concerned societies have not held their general assemblies in which they could consult with their members in a democratic way about the decision whether to participate or boycott, which means that they have ignored the will of their members,” she said.

“Bahrain has succeeded in developing its democratic progress and in confronting challenges with more reforms. What has been achieved so far as part of the reforms exceeds the demands of the political societies. The elections will go ahead as planned,” she said.