Three MPs have lost their seats following a unanimous vote by legislators.
Parliament yesterday revoked the memberships of first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman, services committee chairman Mamdooh Al Saleh and committee member Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh following a formal request by 37 legislators.
The request was submitted under Article 99 of the Constitution, which allows revocation of membership if an MP ‘loses confidence and respect or fails to fulfil the duties of membership’, as well as Articles 204-207 of Parliament’s internal regulations governing the expulsion process.
The move followed the three MPs’ votes against a decree-law amending Article 7 of the Judicial Authority Law on April 28, along with statements critical of actions taken by the state against individuals accused of glorifying Iranian attacks.
The 37 signatories said the MPs’ positions ‘constituted a breach of trust, a loss of respect, and a failure to uphold the honour of representing citizens’.
The three legislators did not attend yesterday’s extraordinary session.
MP Hanan Fardan was absent during the vote but appeared later. She requested Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to include her ‘yes’ vote; however, he said voting had concluded, adding that her absence would be recorded as excused.
Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee rapporteur MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh read out the names of MPs for an individual vote.
Mr Al Musallam then announced that the three seats were now vacant.
A letter conveying the decision has been referred to Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda.
It is unclear if Mr Al Musallam would mention in that letter that the remaining 37 MPs were enough or would ask for by-elections for Northern Governorate constituencies six and one, and Capital Governorate constituency three represented by Mr Salman, Dr Al Shuwaikh and Mr Al Saleh respectively.
Sources told the GDN the seats are likely to remain vacant.
For the time being, and in line with internal regulations, the three constituencies will be represented by Mr Al Musallam or a member he deputises.
The names of the three MPs were covered in purple on the voting board throughout yesterday’s session, which was the final sitting of this term.
MPs will be back in October for an exceptional term with no general elections planned in 2026 due to regional circumstances.
The first deputy speaker seat has to be filled from seated members in the first session to be held in October.
The GDN has learnt that four MPs have forwarded their names for the post: Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom, legislative and legal affairs committee chairman MP Mahmood Fardan, and MPs Hassan Ibrahim and Dr Hisham Al Asheeri.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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