INDEPENDENT candidates are again the big winners after the first round of voting in Bahrain’s national election on Saturday.
Results announced yesterday reveal that of the nine MPs elected during the first round, seven are independents and just two represent political societies.
The Progressive Tribune Society (Al Menbar Al Taqadomi), an opposition group that ignored calls to boycott the polls, saw its parliament candidate Abdulnabi Salman secure victory in Southern Governorate constituency six (West Riffa and Bukawara).
Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Ansari won a seat in Southern Governorate constituency three (parts of Buhair) on behalf of the conservative Sunni Islamist group Al Asala, having previously served as Southern Municipal Council chairman.
In the municipal council election, all seven seats won in the first round on Saturday were seized by independents.
It continues a trend that started in the 2014 election, during which independents won 36 of the 40 seats in parliament and dominated councils.
Organised political societies had hoped for a reversal in fortunes this year, having once dominated parliament.
However, they still have a chance to increase their numbers slightly in the second round of voting on Saturday - with two Al Asala candidates making it through to a parliament run-off.
They are Ali Zayed in Southern Governorate constituency four (parts of Buhair), who must oust incumbent MP Mohammed Al Marafi, and Abdulrazaq Hattab, who faces a run-off against independent Mohammed Darwish in Southern Governorate constituency six (West Riffa and Bukawara).
Al Menbar National Islamic Society, another Sunni Islamist movement, failed to win a single seat in the first round but will be hoping its candidate Mohammed Al Ammadi can see off a challenge from independent Bassem Al Malki in the second round of voting in Northern Governorate constituency 10 (East Hamad Town).
The National Unity Assembly (NUA), a Sunni movement established amidst unrest in 2011, also failed to win a seat in the first round.
However, its parliament candidate Abdulla Al Thawadi has made it through to the second round against independent Abdulrahman Al Najdi in Northern Governorate constituency eight (parts of Hamad Town).
It also has two municipal council candidates in the second round, including Mohammed Al Dhaen – who is up against independent Najih Obaid in Northern Governorate constituency 10 (parts of Hamad Town).
Meanwhile, the NUA’s Mohammed Al Riffaei is going head to head with Al Asala’s Abdullah Ebrahim for a council seat in Southern Governorate constituency three (parts of Buhair).
The Progressive Tribune Society is also hoping its candidate, Eman Shuwaitar, can secure a second parliament seat by winning Capital Governorate constituency 10 (Sanad), where she is up against independent Ali Ishaqi.
It also has Falah Hashem in a second round run-off for a parliament seat against independent Ahmed Ghuloom in Northern Governorate’s constituency five (Al Qadam, Al Hajar, Abu Saiba, Shakhoora, Saar, south Janabiya and Maqaba).
“Previously MPs mostly belonged to political societies, but then parliament became mostly made up of independents,” said Mr Al Ansari, who predicted the formation of new blocs in parliament.
“We will all work together – those from political societies and independents.
“Individuals will have tough time being on their own and will join with others to work in teams.”
Those sentiments were echoed by independent MP Adel Al Asoomi, who successfully retained his seat in parliament on Saturday.
“I always co-operate with people and will continue to help my country,” he said, after securing victory in Capital Governorate constituency one (Hoora, Gudaibiya and the Diplomatic Area).
“Whether independents or representing political societies, we will work together for the benefit of our country.”
The NUA fielded two parliament and two municipal council candidates, Al Menbar fielded four parliament candidates, Al Asala fielded three parliament and one municipal council candidate and Progressive Tribune Society fielded six parliament candidates.
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