MP Jalila Al Sayed has made history as Bahrain’s first woman to serve as first deputy speaker of Parliament, securing 21 votes in a three-way contest for the vacant post.
She defeated fellow candidates Bassema Mubarak, who received five votes, and Abdulla Al Romaihi, who secured eight votes.
Her election marks a new milestone for women’s representation in Bahrain’s Parliament, following in the footsteps of Fouzia Zainal, who served as the country’s first woman speaker from 2018 to 2022.
The first deputy speaker’s position became vacant in May following the revocation of the membership of three MPs, including former first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman.
A total of 35 ballot papers were available, with two MPs absent in addition to the three whose memberships had been revoked.
Speaking after her election, Ms Al Sayed said the confidence placed in her by fellow MPs came with significant responsibility, particularly at what she described as a sensitive and important time for Bahrain.
She said her appointment sent clear messages about institutional co-operation and the role of women in parliamentary leadership, while opening opportunities for closer co-ordination between Parliament and the executive branch.
“I consider this position an additional responsibility and an honour, particularly in carrying important national files during this sensitive and important period,” she said.
Ms Al Sayed thanked MPs for their support and acknowledged her two fellow candidates, wishing them success.
She said her immediate focus would be to continue work already under way rather than start afresh, building on the relationships and experience developed during her previous four years in Parliament.
“Our role is a supporting one, whether as an MP or first deputy speaker. This position brings greater responsibility, and we must live up to the confidence placed in us by fellow MPs and the Speaker,” she said.
She added that she would work with the Speaker, the parliamentary general-secretariat and committee members to advance existing and forthcoming files across the legislature’s different areas of responsibility.
Among the issues she identified were long-standing concerns over social security and insurance for doctors and consultant doctors, which she said had repeatedly been raised without finding solutions.
She also highlighted food and water security as emerging national priorities, alongside security-related matters and other files already before Parliament.
On household costs, Ms Al Sayed said MPs needed to revisit decisions affecting people’s daily lives, particularly those relating to electricity and petrol prices.
“These are issues on which decisions have already been taken, but we need to review those decisions, including electricity and petrol prices, among other topics,” she said.
She stressed that parliamentary work had continued during the legislative recess, with co-ordination already taking place on several matters.
Ms Al Sayed said the next phase would require stronger organisation and co-operation, particularly between the legislative and executive authorities, to address outstanding issues and develop Bahrain’s legislative framework.
She also pointed to His Majesty King Hamad’s address opening the fifth session of the sixth legislative term as a roadmap for the work ahead, highlighting its emphasis on economic priorities, effective legislation, regional security and national identity.
The exceptional session comes following a royal order extending the legislative term in view of prevailing circumstances.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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