BAHRAIN’S main rights watchdog will train and deploy monitors for the national parliamentary and municipal council elections in November, according to a top official.
The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) will register complaints, from its team members assigned to polling centres across the country, of alleged violations reported by either voters or candidates.
“As in previous elections, the NIHR will monitor the 2022 elections,” NIHR chairman Ali Alderazi told the GDN yesterday.
“We will be conducting internal training next month for the team of election observers, teaching them how to register complaints from both voters and candidates.”
The training will also focus on the do’s and don’ts for observers.
However, Mr Alderazi did not reveal how many NIHR monitors will be deployed during election day.
The GDN reported that Bahrain will hold parliamentary and municipal council elections on November 12 from 8am to 8pm, with a run-off to be held on November 19.
The theme of this year’s poll is: “We vote for Bahrain.”
During the earlier two polls in 2014 and 2018, the NIHR uncovered several violations including vandalising campaign billboards, making threatening phone calls, sending intimidating text messages and using children to campaign on behalf of candidates outside polling stations.
Election rules stipulate that election monitors must be a Bahraini aged 18 and above, without a criminal record or political affiliation.
Identity cards will be issued to all monitors nominated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights groups.
The monitoring process usually starts from the moment election campaigning starts – which is a month before polling day.
Observers and media members are allowed to monitor the polling booths and even the ballot counting process to ensure transparency.
“Young Bahraini observers will be present in voting stations to register any violations and ensure the process runs smoothly.
“In addition, people can register their complaints on the NIHR hotline, 80001144.”
The rights watchdog will release its report with all the findings of the election monitors after the end of elections.
Several other registered NGOs will also have their team of election observers this year.
There are 40 constituencies or electoral districts: 12 in the Northern Governorate, 10 each in Capital and Southern and eight in Muharraq.
In elections to the three municipal councils – the Capital Governorate being run by the nominated Capital Trustees Board – expatriates and GCC nationals who own property can cast their votes to select their area councillor.
Candidates for parliament and municipal council polls will be allowed to file nominations from October 5 to 9 in designated centres, while the voter lists will go on display tomorrow for citizens to verify their names at the four supervisory centres from 5pm to 9pm.
This election, the number of general voting centres at landmark locations has increased from 14 in 2018 polls to 15.
They are: Seef Mall in Seef District, The Religious Institute in Juffair, Sitra Mall, Hidd Intermediate School for Girls, Bahrain International Airport, King Fahad Causeway, Hamad Town Secondary School for Boys, Education Ministry Hall in Isa Town, Wadi Al Sail Primary and Intermediate School for Boys, Safra Primary and Intermediate School for Girls, Bahrain International Circuit, Shaikha Moza Bint Hamad Al Khalifa Comprehensive School for Girls, Bahrain University, Muharraq Club and Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sanabis.
Voter turnout in 2018 was 67 per cent in parliamentary polls and 70pc in municipal council elections, with 244,863 people exercising their right.
For more information visit vote.bh or contact 77277277.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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