A rights group has announced its intention to monitor the by-election to Muharraq Governorate Constituency One as poll aspirants launched their campaign yesterday to win people’s hearts and votes.
Billboards promoting two of the eight nominees – ex-MP Hamad Al Kooheji and new contender Dr Nada Bin Shams – have gone up in Busaiteen.
Those featuring Mr Al Kooheji had the slogan ‘The future of a nation’ while Dr Bin Shams’s motto in the promotional campaign roughly translated to ‘We are up to the challenge.’
As poll campaign gains momentum, Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) yesterday said it would soon issue a 16-point professional code of ethics for candidates.
“The code of ethics aims to ensure integrity and transparency in all steps of the election process and operates on the principle of honest competition between the eight nominees,” the society said in a statement.
BHRWS secretary-general Faisal Fulad told the GDN that their group would monitor the polling process at the Busaiteen Intermediate Girls’ School.
“In addition to the constituency’s polling centre, the society will also monitor the general polling centres in Bahrain International Airport and Seef Mall, as well as three embassies for overseas voting,” Mr Fulad added.
The moral code contains guidelines which prohibit the dissemination of false information, hateful speech or rumours relating to other candidates. It also bans intimidation or bribing voters, and encourages mutual respect and honourable competition between hopefuls.
“Candidates must co-operate with the election supervisory commission to ensure that the polls proceed smoothly,” read the code.
“Election workers and monitors must be respected.
“A candidate must not resort to slander of fellow nominees as part of the campaign promotion, and should refrain from defamation, insults and smears.
“One must refrain from exploiting or riling up emotions related to religious, sectarian, tribal, regional or familial matters, and avoid intimidation, violence, coercion or blackmail of other candidates or voters.”
The code further bars vandalism of competitors’ election materials, flyposting and visual pollution, and states that all campaign material must be removed after the elections.
It also stipulates that candidates will not receive funding from overseas, exploit children for campaigning or set up promotional events inside houses of worship.
Advertising, campaigning and canvassing are also governed by a set of official rules.
According to poll regulations, candidates seeking to set up billboards must obtain the necessary permits from the Civil Defence to ensure the location chosen for the purpose is safe for everyone. A distance of at least 100 metres must be left between the election posters and the main road, and campaign materials cannot be placed on plants, near mosques, schools, universities, lighting poles or walls.
Eight candidates have been approved by the supervisory commission: former MP Mr Al Kooheji, businessman Ibrahim Al Shaikh, lawyer Dr Khalwa Al Shamsi, researcher Dr Bin Shams, Saleh Al Sadah, Bahrain Chamber member Abdulwahed Qarata, former candidate Abdulaziz Al Mannai and newcomer Malallah Al Qahtani.
On September 7, voting will take place from 8am to 8pm.
A run-off will be held, if needed, on September 14. Overseas voting is set for September 3, and September 10 in case of a run-off.
A hotline, 77277277, has also been set up to answer any enquiries from voters, from 10am to 6pm every day except on Friday.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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