RULE breakers in municipalities may soon be warned of their indiscretions, fines and potential legal liabilities by SMS and WhatsApp messages.
The modern communication capabilities may replace written notices or used in addition to ‘old school’ warnings.
The proposal has been unanimously approved by the Southern Municipal Council. Spearheaded by councillor Ali Al Shaikh, the move aims to modernise the notification process and ensure timely delivery of important information.
The system will cover a range of violations, including illegal construction, improper waste disposal and unauthorised commercial activities.
Messages will detail the nature of the violation, the associated fines, deadlines for compliance and warnings of potential legal action if the matter is not resolved.
“This is not just about enforcement but also about education and awareness,” said Mr Al Shaikh. “Many violators are unaware of the rules or deadlines.
“Sending reminders directly to their phones ensures they have all the information they need to act responsibly. It’s a more proactive and transparent approach.”
Councillors also assured residents that the use of SMS and WhatsApp would comply with data protection regulations to safeguard privacy and confidentiality.
“Using SMS and WhatsApp to communicate with violators is a practical step forward,” Mr Al Shaikh said during a council meeting. “These are platforms that almost everyone uses today,” he added.
“Sending messages directly to their phones ensures that people are informed promptly, avoiding unnecessary delays and confusion.”
The council’s services and public utilities committee chairman Hamad Al Zoubi believes the initiative will make the council’s operations more efficient while reducing reliance on traditional methods like physical notices.
“Relying on paper notices or manual delivery is time-consuming and often inefficient,” he explained. “By leveraging digital communication, we can significantly improve our outreach and reduce administrative costs,” he added.
“This system also allows violators to address their issues more swiftly, whether it’s settling fines or complying with municipal regulations.”
Mr Al Zoubi said the initiative was about building trust and fostering co-operation between the municipality and the community. “We are committed to ensuring that all communications are secure,” he added.
Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif welcomed the move, claiming that many people face situations where they don’t know about their infringements and fines until it is too late.
“This is a great idea,” he added. “Getting messages on phones would make it much easier to address issues quickly.”
The council wants the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to implement the system in phases, beginning with a trial period to address any technical or logistical challenges.
“The success of the initiative could pave the way for other governorates to adopt similar measures, transforming the way municipal violations are handled across Bahrain,” said Mr Abdullatif.
On Tuesday, a proposal to launch an SMS notification system to alert citizens about legal cases against them, including travel bans and other judicial services, was unanimously approved by MPs during their weekly session.
The proposal by five MPs, led by second deputy speaker Ahmed Qarata, has been referred to the Cabinet for a review.
MPs believe the move would streamline communication, enhance efficiency and alleviate concerns regarding judicial matters.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))