ELECTION billboards belonging to a parliamentary candidate were allegedly torched by unknown people in the early hours of yesterday.
At least five billboards belonging to MP Ammar Al Mukhtar, who is running for Capital Governorate constituency nine (South Sitra, East Eker, Ma’ameer and East Sitra), went up in flames in a field in Ma’ameer, while two large posters were torn down, according to sources.
Mr Al Mukhtar is running along with at least three more candidates from the same constituency – Ibrahim Al Asfour, Ahmed Ali Muhammed and Mohsen Al Asbool.
“I don’t wish to make a statement about this sensitive incident, but I wish to reiterate my commitment to the people in my area,” Mr Al Mukhtar told the GDN.
“I have always maintained an open-door policy; this was my principle which I practised during the past four years while I was an MP and I used all my tools as an MP to voice the needs, concerns and demands of the people in my area.
“Besides, I am always accessible and transparent, and this will continue if I am re-elected.
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A billboard belong to Al Mukhtar in flames
“The two files that I would follow up closely would be that of unemployment and housing, along with other issues pertaining to public benefit.”
The Bahrain Human Rights’ Watch Society’s election monitoring centre (Nazaha) in a statement yesterday condemned the act of vandalising billboards and campaign poster of election hopefuls.
It also criticised hate speeches and any kind of intimidating gestures.
More than 500 Bahrainis are contesting for 40 Parliament and 30 municipal council seats in national elections on November 12.
The GDN had reported previously that two Parliament candidates in Capital Governorate’s constituency seven (Jid Ali, Jurdab and Al Nasfa) – Basel Al Arrayedh and Rabab Shamsan – had their banners torn.
Elsewhere, Parliament candidate Mohammed Buhazza, running for a seat in Southern Governorate’s constituency two (Isa Town – Eastern Part) had his billboards and two banners torn.
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