AN anxious parliamentary candidate has pleaded with constituents not to keeping asking for payments for votes.
In a bizarre twist, just days after the law was laid down to those running for election not to offer potential supporters illegal promises for their cross in the ballot box, Parliament candidate Basma Mubarak has made a ‘no bribe’ stand.
“People need to understand that their vote is a ‘trust’ and it must be given to the most qualified candidate and not based on nepotism, favours, or financial aid,” she said.
“I have been approached by people from the community who blatantly stated that if I pay them money they will vote for me.
“This is a destruction of the transparency and fairness of the democratic process and may be proof of a lack of awareness.
“I know that the dire economic situation and living condition may have pushed people to take this route but that is unacceptable because it’s the nation’s future being sacrificed for temporary monetary gain.
“These actions potentially paralyse the electoral and democratic process which means we won’t progress the right way.”
Bahraini election law forbids voters from requesting gifts, donations or aid from candidates in return for their votes while candidates cannot disburse gifts, or monetary material aid to any voter – whether it is gifted directly or through someone-else.
Ms Mubarak – who is running against eight male candidates, including sitting MP Mohammed Buhamood – has urged voters to be more aware of their duties and rights, as well as ensure the integrity and transparency of the process by refraining from asking for bribes.
Running for a seat in Parliament to represent Northern Governorate’s Constituency 11 (Hamad Town – South – and Dar Kulaib) Ms Mubarak reaffirmed the importance of raising awareness of this matter to ensure the success of the democratic process.
She also stated that with the development of social media platforms, voters can be closer to candidates and learn important features about them.
The GDN previously reported that according to Bahraini election law, those who commit electoral fraud could be jailed a maximum of two years and fined up to BD2,000.
There have been previous allegations of candidates bribing voters by offering to renovate their homes or paying for their groceries.
In 2014, poll monitors documented some candidates offering cash, electronics and house repairs in exchange for support, as well as paying homeowners to display their campaign banners.
Similar cases have been reported in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 polls, while some candidates in the past are alleged to have used Ramadan majlises to spread election propaganda and distribute gifts to influence voters.
Election rules stipulate that any candidate trying to bribe voters will be referred to the Public Prosecution, which has set up a special committee to investigate alleged electoral crime – including bribery and vote-rigging.
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