A government-drafted overhaul of Bahrain’s digital legal framework has been put on hold in Parliament due to what MPs describe as highly complex technical terminology requiring expert interpretation before any vote can take place.
“This legislation is urgent and important, but it is filled with technical concepts that require specialised expert opinion,” Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee chairman MP Mahmood Fardan said.
The urgent amendments target the Electronic Communications and Transactions Law, originally issued by Decree-Law in 2018, and were formally referred to Parliament by the Cabinet.
At the heart of the draft is a major step towards formalising electronic identification (e-ID) and legally recognised digital consent when accessing government services – a move designed to accelerate Bahrain’s transition to fully secure digital transactions between individuals, businesses and the State.
Mr Fardan said the law touches on areas far beyond routine legislation.
“We are talking about electronic identity, digital verification, authentication standards, cybersecurity implications and legal recognition of electronic documents,” he said. “This is not traditional legislative language. It requires technical understanding alongside legal review.”
Under the draft, no individual would be allowed to access or accept government services electronically, submit applications or complete official transactions without providing explicit electronic consent in accordance with technical standards to be set by ministerial decision.
The amendments also grant full legal weight to electronic records and documents, placing them on par with written documentation where applicable under existing laws and Sharia provisions.
A central feature of the proposal is the establishment of a national electronic identification system to be overseen by the government entity responsible for issuing identity cards. The authority would be empowered to establish and manage the system, set authentication standards, and authorise public or private sector partners to provide e-ID services under strict regulatory oversight.
This effectively opens the door for structured public-private partnerships in digital identity services while maintaining state control over regulation and security standards.
“This law does not only regulate government work,” Mr Fardan explained. “It affects banks, businesses, service providers and every person who uses e-government platforms. That is why we need specialists to brief the committee before proceeding.”
Mr Fardan stressed that the committee fully supports the direction of the law but wants to ensure it is legislatively sound and practically implementable.
“Digital transformation is a priority for Bahrain, but the legal framework must be precise,” he said. “Any ambiguity in this type of law could create serious legal and technical problems in the future.”
He added that expert consultations would be arranged during the recess before the committee resumes deliberations.
“We want this law to be strong, clear and future-proof. That requires time and the right expertise.”
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