Election 2006 Central Governorate – Constituency 2
Central Governorate – Constituency 2
Constituency 2 of Central governorate has 14 blocks, spread over the two townships of Salmabad and A’ Ali. Some of the blocks bordering Salmabad are just open desert and industrial estates where the only people staying are Bangladeshi and Indian labourers, writes Alexander M Arackal. Both the Chamber of Deputies and the Municipal Council seats would witness four-cornered contests.
The candidates speak…
Poverty alleviation must for survival of democracy: Khamis
How do you rate your chances of winning and why?
Election 2006 Central Governorate – Constituency 2
Central Governorate – Constituency 2
Constituency 2 of Central governorate has 14 blocks, spread over the two townships of Salmabad and A’ Ali. Some of the blocks bordering Salmabad are just open desert and industrial estates where the only people staying are Bangladeshi and Indian labourers, writes Alexander M Arackal. Both the Chamber of Deputies and the Municipal Council seats would witness four-cornered contests.
The candidates speak…
Poverty alleviation must for survival of democracy: Khamis
How do you rate your chances of winning and why?
My candidature itself was because the people in my constituency pressured me into joining the fray. I believe that being a member of the Chamber of Deputies will help broaden my canvas of serving the people and I will be able to take the issues of the people to the authorities concerned.
What will be your priority if you are elected?
Almost every issue needs to be looked into urgently. It is important to find jobs for the people. In my constituency, there are a lot of poor people. It is essential to help alleviate poverty. We cannot have a Bahrain that is truly world class without uplifting the poor here.
Education is equally important. I do intend to establish secondary schools for both boys and girls in this locality.
In the second stage, equally important, is my vision for the youth and I plan to engage them in constructive activity.
What in your opinion is the one major issue that the Parliament has to address?
Abject poverty is what one sees in some parts of Bahrain. If you see the condition of the poor, you will break down. These people live in conditions which are worse than those in which pets have in some houses. If we do not do anything to help them, believe me democracy in this country will be a failure.
How do you rate the sitting member’s performance?
Let me not sound offensive, but show me what he has done. The poor of the land still remains poor. If he had worked for the improvement of his constituency, people in this area would have had a better life. unfortunately nothing has been done. The same goes for the MP. They were busy with too many trivial issues and failed to take up people’s problems.
What is the key point in your campaign?
Well, nothing to talk about. I have appointed committees in different areas. They will liaise with the people of the area and report to me, thus helping me take necessary action.
What about women entering the electoral fray?
It is very good. There are women who have the capabiity to be there, but it is left to be seen if they will be given the authority to be part of the decision-making process.
What is the mood of the people towards casting their vote?
Initially they seemed to be against it. But then the clerics have advised them and it happens so often. People are goaded on to cast their votes and this has led to a change in their mindset. Now we are expecting a turnout of 70-80 per cent on polling day.
I am from A’Ali and for A’Ali: Majeed
He considers his education his most potent armour. A former municipal supervisor and a teacher at Bahrain Training Institute, Majeed comes across as a man who has done his homework and is on the road to victory.
What qualities do you have to take up the job?
I have the people’s support. I have been with the municipality for 20 years and that is indeed a long time to gain enough experience. The people of this land recognise me as one of them.
What are the issues you will take up on priority basis if you are elected?
There are basically two major problems. One is that the area needs a place for women to come together and also for the youth to gather. At the moment we do have swimming pools and other such facilities, but there is not enough privacy for the ladies. This is Bahrain and we have our ways.
The second is the setting up of more traffic lights. I will try to push with the Ministry of Municipality and Housing to get my plans approved.
How do you rate the performance of the sitting councillor?
I don’t like to discuss anybody else. I prefer to talk about myself and my plans only.
How do you view the entry of women into the Municipal Council?
No, it is not for them. Most of the time, say 60 per cent of the time is spent outside the office and in the hot sun. I am not for women taking up the job. They are good in Parliament, where they only have to use their brains and not go outside.
What are the strong points in your campaign?
I am from A’Ali and for A’Ali and that is my strength. All these posters are only to announce, actually the people know me and want me to win.
How do you see the people responding to the election call?
Earlier it was bad, they were against it. But now they are for it. I expect a turnout of 70 to 80 per cent on polling day.
Jobs for youth, educational facilities
As with most of Bahrain, the core issues in this constituency too are poverty, lack of decent housing, unemployment and lack of good educational facilities. Candidates and residents point out that the unemployed youth, largely Bahrainis, need to be engaged in constructive activities if they are not to go astray. more employment opportunities, areas for the women and youth to have their activities and better education facilities. Infrastructure too needs to be improved with residents complaining that the sitting representatives had hardly paid any attention to these issues during their tenure.
Voters have their say
Abdul Nabi Haabi, a labourer: My choice for Chamber of Deputies is Abdulnabi Salman. He is a good man. For the Municipal Council I will select Mohammed Al Aamer. They are both good people.
Ali Alawi, electrical contractor: No, I have decided not to vote. The last time around I did cast my votes and see what they have done. They have been too busy and had no time to return to the constituencies and do any good work here. A’ Ali remains the same.
Abulghani Mohammed, Ministry of Health employee: My candidate for the Chamber of Deputies is Abdulnabi Salman and for Municipality Adel Al Setri. They should be re-elected. If nothing they are educated and that is a good enough reason.
Mansur Ibrahim, Traffic Police Department: Abdulnabi Salman and Ahmed Aamer are my choices for the Chamber of Deputies and the Municipality respectively. They are both educated and we do care a lot for education.
Hassan Al Ali, teacher: Of course yes, Abdulnabi Salman and Ahmed Aamer. We have all decided to vote for these two people. We see them as educated and thus persons with some standing.
Straw Poll
Chamber of Deputies
Abduljaleel Salman Ali Khamis –30%
Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed Nasser- 30%
Sayyed Abdullah Majed Al Ali –22%
Ibrahim Al Duaisi – 18%
Municipal Council
Mohammed Al Aamer – 50%
Off the beaten track
Adel Al Setri – 50%
A’ Ali, amongst the most populated in the constituency, has two of Bahrain’s must see tourist sites – the Pottery Village and the Burial Mounds. Situated bang in the middle of A’ Ali is this village. All around the village, one gets to see the huge clay mounds that form the raw material for the kiln. It is largely populated by Bahrainis and then come the Bangladeshis and Indians. The other site is the Burial Mounds, which are said to house the bodies of soldiers slain in wars ages ago, that were just dumped on this island.
Swing Factor
Education and a good standing in society seem to be major factors influencing voters in this area. People believe that a person with a strong educational background would make an ideal representative. There is a perceptible swing favouring Abdulnabi Salman. In the areas surrounding Salmabad, Abduljaleel Salman has a strong influence. Though in most parts there is also the anti-incumbency factor weighing against Abdulnabi.
In the case of Municipal Council, Mohammed Al Aamer has a strong showing with a majority of voters picking up his name as the favourite.
Fact file
Sitting MP: Abdulnabi Salman
Sitting Councillor: Abdullah Majeed
Electorate: 11,300
