Delighted Abdulwahed Qarata overcame a deficit of 700 votes in the first round of the parliamentary by-election against Ibrahim Al Shaikh to win the vacant Muharraq Governorate constituency one seat.
Mr Qarata received 3,393 votes (53.76pc) to Mr Al Shaikh’s 2,929 (46.24pc) votes in last night’s run-off democratic contest.
He will be joining his uncle, second deputy speaker Ahmed Qarata, in Parliament.
The two were frontrunners but failed to get the necessary 50 per cent + 1 vote clear to be an outright winner during the first round of the contest to take the seat of constituency one (Busaiteen and Al Sayah).
Five other candidates were originally in the fray too. They were former MP Hamad Al Kooheji, lawyer Dr Khalwa Al Shamsi, researcher Dr Nada Bin Shams, Saleh Al Sadah and former candidate Abdulaziz Al Mannai.
Yesterday’s voting took place from 8am to 8pm at the main polling centre in Busaiteen Intermediate Girls School and two support centres – Bahrain International Airport and Seef Mall.
The seat was vacated after the Cassation Court on July 10 revoked the parliamentary membership of Mohammed Al Hussaini for not disclosing that he held dual nationality at the time of
contesting the November 2022 general election.
Observers from the National Institution for Human Rights were present at the three polling centres to register any violations.
Flanked by his uncle at his election tent following his victory, Mr Qarata vowed to be the ‘voice of the voiceless’.
“The challenges are tremendous, the obstacles are vast and the difficulties are countless and I, as promised, will address them all within the two terms remaining in Parliament’s life,” said the winner.
He added that his priorities would be to help citizens tackle the challenges of inflation, low wages and soaring living costs caused by ‘unforgiving world circumstances’.
Thrilled to have generated such a large number of votes to pull ahead to victory was thanks, he said, to his supporters ‘strong will and determination’, describing the turn around as ‘historic’.
“Whether you voted for or against me, I am extending my hand, so we can work together for the good of the country during this rollercoaster journey,” he told constituents.
Mr Al Shaikh congratulated Mr Qarata when the result was announced.
The ballot boxes and voting papers were moved in a secure convoy from the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry headquarters in the Diplomatic Area to the three polling stations early yesterday.
Present was Minister Nawaf Al Maawda and senior election and ministry officials, who also visited the polling centres to check on proceeds.
“We witnessed a huge turnout, so there is a strong belief in the importance of parliamentary work,” said Mr Al Maawada.
“From day one, we wanted this democratic practice to be done in the right way and this was evident here.”
Mr Qarata will be sworn in during Parliament’s first session following recess.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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