A dispute over committee membership left Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee without an elected chairman yesterday after MP Abdulwahid Qarata challenged his appointment to the services committee and demanded a place on finance instead.
Mr Qarata submitted a written complaint to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, seeking to move committees. His objection prevented the finance committee vote from proceeding, with legal adviser Dr Saleh Al Ghatheeth warning that pressing ahead could breach Parliament’s internal rules.
“I do not wish to serve on the services committee. I submitted a formal objection. I want to be on the finance committee, and I have the right to stand,” Mr Qarata told the chamber.
However, Dr Al Ghatheeth said MPs had already approved the membership of four standing committees, meaning those whose appointments had been confirmed could not subsequently stand for finance.
He cited Article 80 of Parliament’s internal regulations, which requires a matter that fails to secure the necessary majority to be brought back at another sitting.
Although the Speaker could ask MPs to agree to another vote on the same day, Dr Al Ghatheeth cautioned that doing so would run counter to the article.
The dispute also raised questions about proceeding with the vote while many MPs were outside the chamber during a break.
The finance committee election was therefore postponed until a subsequent sitting, leaving MP Ahmed Al Salloom as interim chairman and MP Zainab Abdulamir as interim vice-chairwoman until elections are held.
Meanwhile, four other standing committees elected their leadership teams.
MP Dr Abdulhakim Al Sheno was elected chairman of the legislative and legal affairs committee, with MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh as vice-chairman.
MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi became chairman of the services committee, while MP Dr Muneer Suroor was elected vice-chairman.
MP Hisham Al Awadhi was elected chairman of the public utilities and environment affairs committee, with MP Hanan Fardan as vice-chairwoman.
MP Dr Hassan Bukhammas retained the chairmanship of the foreign affairs, defence and national security committee, while MP Dr Mariam Al Dhaen was elected vice-chairwoman.
The names put forward by Parliament’s general-secretariat for the finance committee are expected to be presented to MPs at the next sitting, when the outstanding election can be addressed in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
MPs unanimously voted to issue a statement marking Bahraini Engineers Day, which falls on Friday, and authorised Mr Al Musallam to issue it on their behalf.
Mr Al Musallam spoke on the matter at the beginning of the session, highlighting its importance.
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