THREE political societies in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the upcoming national elections, with one of them indicating the possibility of forming a ‘coalition’.
The Democratic Progressive Tribune will field four candidates for Parliament, the Sunni bloc Al Asala National Islamic Society has pledged ‘at least three’, while the National Unity Assembly (NUA) said only one Parliament hopeful will contest the polls.
The GDN earlier reported that Al Menbar National Islamic Society will not field any candidates this year, but will only vote for ‘capable’ aspirants and support those who fulfil certain conditions.
The Democratic Progressive Tribune sitting MPs Abdulnabi Salman and Sayed Falah Hashem along with a new entrant, Dr Mahdi Abdulaziz Al Shuwaikh, submitted nominations from the Northern Governorate.
Mr Salman is contesting in constituency six (A’ali and Ramli districts), Mr Hashem in constituency five (Al Qadam, Al Hajar, Abu Saiba, Shakhoora, Saar, south Janabiya and Maqaba) and Dr Al Shuwaikh in constituency one (Meqsha, Helat Al Abd Al Saleh, Bahrain Fort village, Karranah, Janusan, Barbar, Jid Al Haj and parts of Duraz).
“I am confident as I have received great public support over the last four years and I believe I can give more to this country and its people,” Mr Salman told the GDN.
He added that political societies were ideal in a progressive democracy as they encourage teamwork.
Dr Al Shuwaikh, a dermatologist, said he was ‘hopeful’ of joining the Parliament, while Mr Hashem noted that there were “many files that need a follow-up, especially with regard to housing, pension and wages and that they hope to take it up and work for the benefit of people”.
The fourth member Eman Showaiter, who made it to the run-off in 2018, filed her nomination from Capital Governorate constituency 10 (West Eker, Sanad and South Isa Town).
Ms Showaiter highlighted her active participation in the women’s rights movement since the 1980s, having been an integral part of the Al Nahda Young Ladies Association.
“Our efforts have resulted in the allotment of nursing hours in both the public and private sector, which give new mothers time to breastfeed their children,” she said.
“I want to continue this legacy and tackle women’s issues like family laws and the right to citizenship for children of Bahraini mothers and non-Bahraini fathers.”
Having worked at the national retirement fund for 25 years (now known as the Social Insurance Organisation), she said she wanted to ‘bring the fund back to its days of glory’.
Al Asala has three sitting MPs – society president Ahmed Al Ansari, Ali Zayed and Abdulrazzaq Hattab of which Mr Al Ansari and Mr Zayed filed their nominations from the Southern Governorate for Parliament seats – the former from constituency three and the latter from constituency four (both parts of Buhair).
Mr Al Ansari
“We will have at least three people contesting for Parliament seats,” said Mr Al Ansari, adding that the society will soon announce its full list of candidates.
“We were three in the current Parliament and, in my opinion, we could win the trust of people – we addressed crucial issues affecting the population, mainly in the fields of education, unemployment and housing.
“We hope to continue addressing issues that pertain to public service if we make it back to the Representatives Council, along with other problems affecting the elderly and pensioners,” he added.
Mohammed Al Refaie from the NUA is bidding for a Parliament seat in the Southern Governorate’s constituency three (parts of Buhair). The 41-year-old engineer from East Riffa was the NUA’s candidate in the 2018 polls. However, he did not make it to the municipal council from the same constituency.
Mr Refaie
“We had four members coming forward to contest, and based on our criteria we chose one – Mr Al Refaie, who will contest under the NUA banner to Parliament,” NUA chairman Abdulla Al Huwaihi told the GDN. “Our criteria was based on three pillars – the person’s tenure with the NUA, his involvement and political knowledge.”
Mr Al Huwaihi said NUA would explore the possibility of forming a coalition with other societies or backing independent candidates.
“We hope Mr Refaie would win, we have good relations with independent candidates and societies and we can always collaborate,” he said.
NUA had fielded four candidates in 2018 – two each to the Parliament and municipal councils. Two of them won – Dr Abdulla Al Thawadi made it to the Parliament from Northern Governorate’s constituency eight (Hamad Town – Suq Waqif and the eastern parts from roundabout four to six) and Mohammed Al Dhaen won a council seat from Northern Governorate’s constituency 10 (Hamad Town – eastern part from roundabout seven to 21). Both Dr Al Thawadi and Mr Al Dhaen are contesting again from the same constituencies this year, but as independent candidates.
“Over the last four years, I think I have become closer to the people and there are many things I could do for them – there are ambitious projects in the pipeline, which I hope to address if I make it back to the Parliament,” said Dr Al Thawadi, 55, an ICT consultant from Hamad Town.
Mr Al Dhaen said he was also hopeful of winning back the council seat.
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