Bahrain’s Shiite clergy urges people to vote in next month’s legislative polls despite problems
The Associated Press
Published: October 9, 2006
CAIRO, Egypt Bahrain’s Shiite Muslim clerics have given their blessing to next month’s parliamentary elections, urging citizens of the Gulf state to vote despite the perceived flaws.
The Nov. 25 elections for parliament and municipalities were thrown into question when a former civil servant, Salah al-Bandar, claimed to have documents showing that the authorities intended to rig the elections by depriving many Shiites of their voting rights.
Bahrain’s Shiite clergy urges people to vote in next month’s legislative polls despite problems
The Associated Press
Published: October 9, 2006
CAIRO, Egypt Bahrain’s Shiite Muslim clerics have given their blessing to next month’s parliamentary elections, urging citizens of the Gulf state to vote despite the perceived flaws.
The Nov. 25 elections for parliament and municipalities were thrown into question when a former civil servant, Salah al-Bandar, claimed to have documents showing that the authorities intended to rig the elections by depriving many Shiites of their voting rights.
About 60 percent of Bahrain’s 725,000 citizens are Shiites, but the country’s leadership is Sunni Muslim. Shiites often complain of discrimination, and say they are squeezed out of power.
In a statement, the Islamic Scholars Council said Sunday that “although many unjust provisions exist in the political process, we believe that the best action is to participate heavily in both the municipal and parliamentary elections.”
The official Bahrain News Agency reported that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met the country’s Shiite leaders on Sunday and “discussed issues of public concern.” The report did not elaborate.
Last week, Bahrain’s High Criminal Court banned all publication of al-Bandar’s claims, and state prosecutors charged him with two counts of illegal possession of state documents and theft.
Al-Bandar, a British citizen of Sudanese origin, was expelled from the country last month. He is expected to be tried in absentia.
Al-Bandar accused the minister of Cabinet affairs, Sheik Ahmed bin Attiyatallah Al Khalifa, of masterminding a rigging campaign. The minister runs the Central Information Organization, which includes the department responsible for supervising the election.
The Bahrain News Agency reported that the king ordered Sunday the separation of the election department and the Central Information Organization.
The move was seen as a bid to allay Shiite suspicions of rigging.
my-jbm
CAIRO, Egypt Bahrain’s Shiite Muslim clerics have given their blessing to next month’s parliamentary elections, urging citizens of the Gulf state to vote despite the perceived flaws.
The Nov. 25 elections for parliament and municipalities were thrown into question when a former civil servant, Salah al-Bandar, claimed to have documents showing that the authorities intended to rig the elections by depriving many Shiites of their voting rights.
About 60 percent of Bahrain’s 725,000 citizens are Shiites, but the country’s leadership is Sunni Muslim. Shiites often complain of discrimination, and say they are squeezed out of power.
In a statement, the Islamic Scholars Council said Sunday that “although many unjust provisions exist in the political process, we believe that the best action is to participate heavily in both the municipal and parliamentary elections.”
The official Bahrain News Agency reported that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met the country’s Shiite leaders on Sunday and “discussed issues of public concern.” The report did not elaborate.
Last week, Bahrain’s High Criminal Court banned all publication of al-Bandar’s claims, and state prosecutors charged him with two counts of illegal possession of state documents and theft.
Al-Bandar, a British citizen of Sudanese origin, was expelled from the country last month. He is expected to be tried in absentia.
Al-Bandar accused the minister of Cabinet affairs, Sheik Ahmed bin Attiyatallah Al Khalifa, of masterminding a rigging campaign. The minister runs the Central Information Organization, which includes the department responsible for supervising the election.
The Bahrain News Agency reported that the king ordered Sunday the separation of the election department and the Central Information Organization.
The move was seen as a bid to allay Shiite suspicions of rigging.
my-jbm