Election 2006 Capital Governorate – Constituency 5
This constituency comprises Al Fatheh, Juffair, Ghuraifa, Mina Salman and the Nabih Saleh Island. Juffair area boasts of some of the most luxurious apartments in the Kingdom but the village is a picture in contrast being home to a lot of dilapidated houses. Residents also complain of acute water shortage in the area. Ghuraifa and Juffair also have a number of schools, and the resultant traffic gridlocks are a common sight every school day, says Bonny Mascarenhas. A multi-cornered battle is on the cards for the Parliament seat while for the Municipal Council seat, it would be a triangular fight.
Election 2006 Capital Governorate – Constituency 5
This constituency comprises Al Fatheh, Juffair, Ghuraifa, Mina Salman and the Nabih Saleh Island. Juffair area boasts of some of the most luxurious apartments in the Kingdom but the village is a picture in contrast being home to a lot of dilapidated houses. Residents also complain of acute water shortage in the area. Ghuraifa and Juffair also have a number of schools, and the resultant traffic gridlocks are a common sight every school day, says Bonny Mascarenhas. A multi-cornered battle is on the cards for the Parliament seat while for the Municipal Council seat, it would be a triangular fight.
The last ten days, doubts and differences
Admit it, you’re a tad cynical…with the hustings on call in a week or so. Polls suggest more voters believe the promises of their friends and neighbours than of candidates. So if confronted by a last-minute doubt only a small fraction of voters might change their view on any given issues or their vote. The rest, say people who study elections, will either be unmoved or find the news fishy.
Then again, changing the minds of a few wavering voters might be enough. However, it is common in an election to spring a last minute surprise and hope to catch the undecided vote.
Which is why the ‘undecideds’ are so important. In fact, they stay in that mental limbo till the very last day. According to some surveys, this section of the voters is the most important. It needs to be convinced and the best convincer can get them.
“Elections are primarily decided by independent and undecided voters. Those people can change their minds,” said Bill Benoit, a communications professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia who studies political campaigns. “To them, if something big happens it might matter — especially with all the close races this year.”
No doubt, in this last ten days before the election, some last-minute allegations will be made about some of the candidates. Journalists sometimes face tough decisions when confronted with new information that voters might, at the very least, be interested in knowing — or, worse, need to know in order to make an informed choice in the voting booth. It is not always easy to verify gossip and half truths and balance it out with how much the media’s right to know wins over all other considerations.
A well-covered rough-and-tumble campaign can shake out bad candidates and test solid ones for the term ahead. This is why journalists often accept reporting on the sniping which occurs in campaigns. That is part of the process. However, there are things that are done and things that are not. You don’t hit out at women and children if they are part of the family. You don’t dig for dirt that cannot be unsubstantiated. You don’t give sensational coverage to molehills and make them into mountains. In brief, you do not get personal. It is just not done.
It is here that media has a certain responsibility and it must exercise it carefully. However, sometimes, the candidates also need a spur in the stretch and they tend to become louder and more shrill in the hope of catching voter attention. There is a lot at stake and a negative hit on the opponent can translate into votes. It is rather like the long distance runner who still has the stamina to speed up the last 100 metres and go for broke. After all, there is a lot at stake so the guard sometimes gets lowered and the bet of candidates are tempted to fling a little dirt in the hope that something might stick.
Who is making the accusation and how do they know what they know?
What motivation does this person have for making the allegations?
What is the past credibility of the person making the allegations?
Will the person making the accusations be named? If no, then why not?
If you cannot name the person making the accusations, can you prove the information to be true?
Why does the public need to know this information now?
How does the information benefit the public?
How would you explain why you aired/published the information?
How would you explain why you withheld the information from the public?
What does the accused have to say about the allegations? In what setting would you ask the question (public, private, in writing)? Would raising the question publicly add credibility to the allegation, even if it is unproven?
The push poll — designed to disseminate information about the candidates, rather than collect it — is just one of the last-minute tactics inundating, and in some cases rankling, Maryland voters in the final week of a campaign that features competitive contests for the Senate and the governor’s mansion.
The candidates speak…
Chamber of Deputies
I am experienced for the job: Hassan
Hassan Eid Bukhammas is the sitting MP and he has risen to the challenge of contesting for a second term. He comes from a family that is steeped in business background for decades and is well respected in the Kingdom.
Why are you seeking a second term?
I was asked by my well-wishers to contest again. Also, since democracy is new to our generation and having been part of the process in the past four years, I think I have a better grasp of the legislation and can use the experience to help my people and the country.
Do you think you did a good job?
For me the first two years of the last tenure were spent on learning the regulations, the do’s and don’ts of the legislation. After that, I can say I did do a good job.
What do you think have been your achievements during your tenure?
Well, in 1995, the Crown Prince had instructed that a housing project be taken up for Nabih Saleh but nothing had been done. I asked the Minister of Housing and Works why the project was delayed and he then gave the schedules for the project. I am glad to say that construction started in August 2006 and Phase 1 is nearing completion. Besides, 30 additional houses will be constructed in addition to the 80 planned.
Do you have any reservations against women candidates or voters?
No, in fact, I think they should participate in the electoral process. I was delighted to hear that Ms. Shahzalan was contesting and even though she is an opponent in the field, I have great respect for her.
As far as women voters are concerned, I am of the opinion that they should think before they exercise their franchise. Don’t just vote for a certain candidate because others tell you to. Do background checks on the candidates and then cast your precious vote.
What will be different in your approach this time?
Well, this time I hope to coordinate with the Municipal Councillor of the area to bring about the much needed changes. I will continue to address the housing problem and work towards reducing the backlog.
Municipal Council
Taxes should be used for development: Jassim
Hassan Ateya Jassim may be contesting elections for the first time, but he is no stranger to the people of this constituency. He was the General Secretary of Al Nasser Sports Club in 1992 and of the Bahrain Volleyball Association in 1998. A socially active person, Jassim spoke to the Tribune over the traditional saffron tea. Excerpts:
What made you to enter the electoral fray?
I was requested by the people residing in my area to do so. I have been very close to all of them and interact with them daily. They feel I will be able to make some difference.
Do you think that the previous candidate did a good job?
Yes, I think he has done his job to the best of his abilities. People don’t realise that the elected candidate does not really have any power to make decisions in the municipal council, he can only recommend certain projects in his area and then it is up to the higher authorities to act on it.
What is in your manifesto?
I am going to try to get the council to utilise part of the municipal taxes for the development of my constituency. Currently whatever taxes are collected are put into a common fund and then monies are allocated according to different projects. Sometimes even though one constituency contributes the highest amount, they may not receive any funds back for their area.
Juffair is the biggest reclaimed area and has the most number of apartments, and with the high rents in the area, the area must be contributing most to the coffers.
If you go around you will notice that there is not a single bank here. There are no playgrounds or even a mall.
Do you think you can bring about some changes?
I will certainly try to and with the support of my people I think together we should be able to bring about lots of changes.
swing Factor
A strong family background versus women power. These are emerging as major factors likely to influence the electorate in this high profile constituency. If Hassan Eid Bukhammas, the sitting MP enjoys the reputation of hailing from a strong business family, Shahzalan Abdulhassan Hassan Khamis has the support of most of the women societies and the fact that around 60 per cent of the electorate are women voters is a factor that may make a difference.
A third factor that may make all the difference is the backing of Al Wefaq Society for Mohammed Yousif Yacoub Mezal.
The triangular contest for the Municipal Council seat is likely to be reduced to a fight between Fadhel Abbas and Hassan Ateya Jassim.
SWANK APARTMENTS, DILAPIDATED HOUSES
Issues abound in this constituency. Juffair which has a considerable number of luxury apartments, villas and hotels, presents a study in contrast, with Juffair village, just a few hundred metres away, home to several old crumbling houses. The village area is also faced with water shortage. Though construction of buildings continues day and night on the reclaimed land residents in the villages are yet to be allotted homes.
Ghuraifa neighbours Juffair and between the two there are about four schools in the area. Residents say that the schools have added to their parking woes. The island of Nabih Saleh has been added to the Municipal constituency and they too complain of water shortage.
The main complaint of locals in the area is that no development has been seen in the village but the neighbouring structures most of which are constructed on reclaimed land have all the required amenities.
Voters have their say
Mohammed Abdulla Ali: I think the issue of naturalisation should be looked into. I have a son who is still looking for a job. He underwent training at Bapco for six months and plays volleyball for GOYS. Two years ago, he registered with the ministry for a job but is yet to receive a call. I think a vote for Al Wefaq candidate would be beneficial because they have about 16 candidates and any proposal put forward will be supported by all. The current lot of candidates for the municipal seats are new and I still have to see what they have to offer.
Sayed Haider Abdulla: Employment opportunities have to be created for the youth on a priority basis, and next, the parliament should look into the housing issue for the people of Bahrain. Certain roads in certain areas are maintained and the others are not touched at all.
Saeed Habib: There was no signboard in our area to show that this was Ghuraifa. We the residents got together and had a signboard made. Streetlights were installed only because we requested them otherwise our roads would still be in darkness.
Sayed Isa: The government should block certain areas and reserve them specifically for housing. Some parks and playgrounds should also be developed for the use of residents.
Shukri Jassim: There are five schools in this area and they should be moved to some other locality. During the school hours our roads are crammed with cars. It takes over half an hour to my house in Ghuraifa from Juffair petrol pump. Also teenaged boys come to the cold stores in our village to smoke cigarettes. Girls too accompany them and if something happens here to any of them, our village will get a bad name.
Off the beaten track
Juffair boasts of the Al Nasser Sports Club and the Juffair Dome. A lot of sporting activities are held regularly in these two facilities. These facilities, however, are more for the higher levels of competition. What the residents of the area complain is that there are hardly any playgrounds for the children, and the only proper playground that the area has is courtesy the US Navy. It was basically developed by them for their recreation, but the children in the area also make use of the playground. Unfortunately, the floodlights to illuminate the playground were disconnected a month ago. Repeated appeals for reconnection have so far not yielded any result.
Straw Poll
Chamber of Deputies
Hassan Eid Rashid Bukhammas 20%
Shahzalan Abdulhassan Hassan Khamis 20%
Mohammed Yousif Yacoub Mezal 20%
Yousif Ahmed Hassan Marhoon 15%
Juma Ali Abdulla Al Juffairi 15%
Ali Hussain Isa Ali 10%
Municipal Council
Fadhel Abbas 35%
Hassan Ateya Jassim 35%
Sayed Mohammed Jaffer 30%
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com
