THERE was confusion among voters in the Capital Governorate constituency five yesterday following a row over allegations of vote-buying.
The controversy erupted after a family member of an incumbent MP running for re-election was charged with vote-buying.
The GDN reported yesterday that the Public Prosecution had launched an investigation into video footage that circulated on social media on Friday allegedly showing the brother and campaign manager of Nasser Al Qaseer handing out money in exchange for sworn testimonies from constituents that they would vote for Mr Al Qaseer in yesterday’s second round of voting.
Mr Al Qaseer was up against Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member Ahmed Al Salloom in the constituency that includes Zinj and Bilad Al Qadeem.
Judge Ahmed Al Sidiqi urged voters to disregard rumours that voting for the constituency had been cancelled.
“We opened at 8am as planned and we will continue until 8pm, and everything is going normally inside the centre,” said the judge, who presided over the polling centre located in the Halima Al Saadia Intermediary Girls School.
Public Prosecution head Muhanna Al Shayji said Mr Al Qaseer was questioned by election officials before the case was referred to prosecutors and his brother summoned.
A verbal row also broke out between supporters of the opposing candidates over the video, but police stepped in to restore calm and remind both sides to abide by the election rules and regulations.
Mr Al Salloom also urged voters to disregard any rumours and cast their ballots.
“Many people called me in the morning to find out if the voting for the constituency was still going ahead,” he said.
“Such rumours will, of course, have an impact but people have to be aware that things are still ongoing and we are waiting for them to have their final say.”
He did not comment on the allegations as it was an ongoing case.
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