Capital Governorate – Constituency 1
All roads lead to this constituency, particularly over weekends, with hordes of tourists flocking to the rows of hotels in the area. For the economy of the Kingdom, it augurs well but for the residents, it’s a veritable nightmare writes Bonny Mascarenhas. Not only do they have a major hassle finding parking space but are also finding it difficult to cope with the activities, some of them illegal, that go with the hospitality industry. It is also one of the very few constituencies to witness a straight contest for the parliamentary seat between arch rivals Adel Al Asoomi and Saadi Mohammed Abdullah. For the Municipal Council, six newcomers will be fighting for the honours.
Capital Governorate – Constituency 1
All roads lead to this constituency, particularly over weekends, with hordes of tourists flocking to the rows of hotels in the area. For the economy of the Kingdom, it augurs well but for the residents, it’s a veritable nightmare writes Bonny Mascarenhas. Not only do they have a major hassle finding parking space but are also finding it difficult to cope with the activities, some of them illegal, that go with the hospitality industry. It is also one of the very few constituencies to witness a straight contest for the parliamentary seat between arch rivals Adel Al Asoomi and Saadi Mohammed Abdullah. For the Municipal Council, six newcomers will be fighting for the honours.
Feedback is vital
One of the downside of taking part in a campaign is that you have detractors. Don’t call them enemies because that is giving them too much importance. Limit them in your mind as the opposition but don’t be swayed by acts of revenge or trying to get even. At all times candidates would do well to remember they are not trying to get even and they are trying to get votes.
However, that said, let’s be very clear. Your inner circle must have the ability to look at all incoming data about you and all the reactions from various members of the public. Criticism will come. Everyone cannot like you nor will everyone support you. The point is how to reduce the ones who are negative.
Never ignore any information. The worst kind is the anonymous kind and it does happen and ‘shills’ as they are known can send emails, letters, put up notices or try to smear a candidate’s reputation with innuendo and half truths. Don’t throw it away.
Devaluing the feedback is better than tossing it. Go figure — the calculation still works.. A political shill giving illegitimate feedback has their feedback devalued, which minimizes damage. But the chilled response gets heard, at least a little, which is better than if that person had never spoken out at all. So, you must take note of it but you don’t have to acknowledge it. There are many ways of blunting those pathetic people who write anonymous letters and one of the best is to treat it all with contempt while calculating how much damage the anonymous nonsense is doing you. It is your judgement whether you want to defend yourself or rise above it. No one can make that decision for you.
Ideally, as trust is built, perhaps the formerly chilled person will contact the important people over mobile or SMS and say, “I sent you that anonymous message about [this issue], and I want to tell you, I’m glad I did because I hope you will do something about it.”
Normally, such people have their own agendas and should be cast away like tissues. But in an election it can get down and dirty so it is better to be prepared for some mudslinging even if you do not engage in any yourself. Campaigns in the past have shown that dignity under fire, a control on your temper and a refusal to hit back if done with grace can get you a lot of votes that you did not expect. People don’t like to see a person slandered and after the first thrill wears off the scandal they are ready to be sympathetic. Never lie. Getting caught in a lie is unacceptable so avoid it. Simply ask the voters to make up their own minds.
While your people are collecting data also find out a list of unfinished projects and talk to small groups about your idea of creating think tanks and putting priorities on housing, lighting, security, patrolling by police and safety for women. These are matters of concern to the common man and it is the common man who is going to put you in power. Listen to him. Listen to the old timers, they have a certain native wisdom that money cannot buy…they know the pulse of the people. Listen to the young, their hopes and aspirations and what they want from their country…they are the legacy of tomorrow.
The candidates speak…
No empty promises: Adel Al Asoomi
Adel Al Asoomi was the runner-up in the last election coming a close second losing by just 150 votes. This time around, his camp is confident that he will walk away with at least 70 per cent of the votes. A familiar face in the constituency, he enjoys a good reputation as a social worker since he has been helping the people in the area even before he plunged into politics.
Taking time off from his busy campaign, Adel spoke to the Tribune in a candid question and answer session. Excerpts:
Why are you so confident of a victory this year?
Speak to the voters and you will get your answer.
What are your main goals if you are elected?
My main emphasis will be on education. I have seen a lot of youth drop out of schools and start working to support their families. Their lack of education hampers their efforts to get better jobs at a later stage. I want to ensure that everyone gets a good education.
Most voters have said that all the candidates only promise things. How do you plan to fulfill your promise on education?
I am not making any empty promises. Much before the elections, I have been helping students study in universities by making funds available for them as scholarships, or giving them study material, etc. At present there are about 200 students studying due to my efforts. This is a small number when you think of the thousands in the Kingdom. It may be a slow process but I’m sure that with the help of others I can achieve this for the youth of Bahrain.
Your constituency has the most hotels in the Kingdom and is notorious for its nocturnal activities. What is your take on them?
I think hotels are required for Bahrain as the hospitality industry not only promotes tourism but also offers wholesome family entertainment for the residents. Hotel industry is not bad per se, but it just has to be run in a responsible manner. If something is illegal it should be stopped.
Do you think the sitting MP did his job?
Not really. If you want to find out just ask the people.
What do you think of women working and voting?
Women should not be locked up inside homes. I think they should be made part of societal fabric. I completely support women working and voting, and proof of this lies in my sisters who play a huge role in the planning part of my campaign team.
What are your plans for all the posters and hoardings around the constituency?
(Laughs) Good Question, I campaigned effectively in the last election, but I also made sure that all the posters and hoardings were removed properly (after elections). I will do the same this time too.
Crack the whip against hotels: Dossary
The Tribune met municipal candidate Ghazi Al Dossary while he was inspecting and looking into complaints about the narrow roads and dark alleys in Gudaibiya area. In a rapid fire interview, he spoke of his views. Excerpts:
What are you doing here?
Some residents were complaining about the condition of the road. This road is so narrow that once a car is parked, it is difficult for even one car to pass through. There are many other roads or rather alleys which are in the same condition.
What do you think can be done to improve the situation?
Well, first of all this should be a one way street. And parking should be allowed only on one side. The workers of many construction companies stay in this area and the parked six wheelers of their companies occupy space which would be enough for two cars. I will try to have these vehicles allotted a common parking lot away from this area to alleviate this problem.
What else is on the agenda for your constituency?
Housing would be next on my agenda. If you look around the area there are many old houses which are ready to crumble anytime. These need to be demolished and rebuilt.
I will also target the sheesha cafes that allow underage youngsters to smoke.
What about the various hotels in the area?
That is next on my list. All the hotels charge a five per cent government tax, but where does this money go? I aim to ensure that this tax money is used for the development of my area. I’m also going to ask for the implementation of a BD500 fine if a hotel is found offering immoral services to its customers or serving alcohol to minors.
Voters have their say
Mohamed Janahi
I will wait and see before I vote for any candidate. The last election we were promised a lot but nothing happened. We didn’t see him after he was elected. Housing and road improvement is all very well but it still will not meet my everyday’s requirements. I am currently working for 12 hours in a hotel on a monthly salary of BD160. At this rate I will not be able to save any money.
Ali Mohammed Ghuloom
The elected member will be really helping us if they make attempts to increase salaries and job opportunities. Giving us more parking lots is good but what is the use if we are not able to afford a car. My salary is spent on rent and food expenses on the family. I am hardly able to save any money.
AKBAR MIRZA
I will take some time to decide who I should vote. Both the parliamentary candidates are good. I hope this time they will do something about our housing problem. I have lived in this house for over 20 years but I have been served notices by my landlord three times to vacate this house. He said he wants to convert it into a shop. I’m at my wits’ end on to what i should do.
Baqer Hassan Turab
I will vote for Asoomi for the parliament seat. The municipal candidates are all new and I want to see what they have in their manifesto before I decide. Last elections candidates only made promises and nothing else. After the elections they disappeared.
Off the beaten track
They are seen as a necessary social evil, but the residents have had enough and would like something concrete done to put an end to the immoral activities run in the name of hospitality. We are talking about the strong presence of the hotel industry in this constituency. The mushrooming hotels in the area attract scores of tourists from the neighbouring countries during the weekends. Residents believe that a whole lot of immoral activities are being encouraged touting them as economic activity and a must to promote tourism in the Kingdom. Families, women and children rarely step out during the weekends, when the roads are choc-o-bloc with cars and customers seeking ‘entertainment.’
Housing a major issue
This constituency suffers a myriad problems including dilapidated houses, narrow roads and overcrowded alleys as well as the hotels and cafes with large clientele during the weekends. The residents have a harrowing time finding parking place during the weekends because of the scores descending on the hotels.
Constituents say that over the weekends, the hotels’ parking lots are not sufficient for its customers, and they land up parking on the interior roads depriving the residents of their parking space. The main roads are asphalted and maintained properly due to the presence of hotels, but the interior roads are ignored and the condition is turning from bad to worse, say the residents. Added to this is the problem of shopkeepers displaying their wares on the streets, depriving the traffic of precious space and leading to chaos. The other problem is about poor lighting on the roads, with the street lamps placed 50 metres apart in many places, plunging the area into patches of darkness. The locals also complain that illegal activities also go on unchecked in the area, which is against the Bahraini culture.
Swing Factor
Chamber of Deputies
Disillusionment seems to be a major factor, and the resultant ‘go for change’ sentiment hangs thick in the air. The fight is between two old rivals who are locking horns for the second time in a straight contest. The sitting member, Saadi Mohammed Abdullah, supported by the Al Menbar Society won the last election by a wafer-thin margin of 150 votes, and according to the constituents, did not deliver the goods save for some work in Hoora area. On the other hand, Adel Al Asoomi is a popular figure who has been serving the constituents for some time now. If one were to go by the trend, Asoomi is likely to give Abdullah a run for his money now.
Municipal Council
The municipal field is wide open with six candidates, all of them newcomers, in the fray. In the absence of any swing factor, it is anybody’s guess as who would make it to the Municipal Council.
Fact file
Sitting MP – Saadi Mohammed Abdulla Ali
Sitting Councillor – Tariq Al Shaikh
Electorate – 5000 including over 2300 women
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com
