Election 2006
Central Governorate – Constituency 9
Constituency 9 of the Central Governorate is an area without the normal complaints of the poor and unemployed. The areas of A’ Ali are swank, with only villas. However, the area of East Riffa, comprising a major chunk of the constituency lie in a middle income belt. This is the battleground of some of the famed hats, including Khalifa al Dhahrani (former chairman of the Chamber of Deputies) and Ibraheem Abdulraheem Fakhroo (former chairman of the Riffa Municipal Council), writes Alexander Arackal. For the Chamber of Deputies it is a five-cornered contest, while the battle for the Municipal Council seat is four-cornered.
Election 2006
Central Governorate – Constituency 9
Constituency 9 of the Central Governorate is an area without the normal complaints of the poor and unemployed. The areas of A’ Ali are swank, with only villas. However, the area of East Riffa, comprising a major chunk of the constituency lie in a middle income belt. This is the battleground of some of the famed hats, including Khalifa al Dhahrani (former chairman of the Chamber of Deputies) and Ibraheem Abdulraheem Fakhroo (former chairman of the Riffa Municipal Council), writes Alexander Arackal. For the Chamber of Deputies it is a five-cornered contest, while the battle for the Municipal Council seat is four-cornered.
We, the people
In the run up to these elections we have noticed a thin thread but a thread all the same. Enough people across the age brackets have voiced their decision not to vote. The general reason given for this refusal is based on their belief that nothing will change.
An election is about issues on every street. If these issues should be debated, then people should come out in strength and vote for a better deal, they say.
There is no point whining about things later on if you are not prepared to take part in the process. This is not a brave attitude, it is one of cynicism and sloth and does not exempt you from being the cause of the wrong victor being placed in the seat. The seat in as democracy belongs to the people and you are that ‘people.’
Yet in the last few years, after each election, voters and councillors have continued to grapple with the same set of civic problems that should have been resolved long ago. But some tangible good has also be done and it is up to all those who have the right to vote to go out there and choose their government because what you end up with is what you deserve.
Why We the People Must Votebrings into focus events that are affecting all of us. As members of the public we need to face the fact that it’s time to take charge and bring about improved change, as we become involved in the political process. We do this by registering and voting, while becoming informed about the candidates and their positions on important issues. We then vote for the best person and not the party per se.
The vote is power! It takes qualified voters to bring about meaningful change, while holding those elected accountable. It is our right to demand that those representing us support us with responsible legislative action, while keeping our leaders in check. This book tells us how. By not voting we allow the wrong people to get elected by what is political default on our part.
Columnist S Gurumurthy writes: “Of course politicians can never say the people are wrong. In this sense the political leadership does not lead. It merely follows. It speaks, offers, and does what the people want. Otherwise they cannot win. So in a democracy there can be and indeed there is no leader in the real sense. All leaders are just followers. But who will dare tell the people they are wrong when they are. No one will. So the people who trade their votes for what they want can never elect a government that can act in national interest. National interest some times clashes with people’s interest.”
But if you exercise your franchise honestly then the two elements can become compatible.
The need therefore to be ready to do your bit, be a piece in the great puzzle of politics remember that you have a date on November 25 and you have to keep it.
The candidates speak…
Heart for the people: Fakhroo
The sitting Councillor from the constituency, Ibraheem Fakhroo comes through as a man with a heart for the poor and one who understands their problems and needs. Winning, he says, is immaterial. In an interview with the Bahrain Tribune, Fakhroo spoke of his goals and aims. Excerpts:
As a sitting councillor, how do you rate your chances of being re-elected?
It is upto the people of this constituency to decide whether they want me and my policies or want a new person. I have given my best and will give my best if elected again. I have to live up to my family name.
What is your top priority if elected for a second term?
In my constituency, I intend to move the bachelors away from places where families stay. When I say bachelors, I mean lower class employees, where over 10 people occupy a two-bedroom apartment. Where professionals like engineers, doctors or accountants live, I have no problem.
Some roads in my area are to be upgraded and made business roads. Sewerage network and stormwater drains are to be built. In some of the new blocks new parks have to be built. In overcrowded blocks more service people are to be added to enhance service. In addition, I do plan to introduce a hotline service with the municipality to bear the cost of the calls reaching it.
How do you rate your past performance?
When this municipality was formed, there were no gardens, no playfields, sewage pipes were installed only in about 10 per cent of the areas. To add to it there were no proper roads or roundabouts, the road lighting was very poor and most houses were in a rather bad shape, with no maintenance ever having been taken up. I remember houses with their walls cracked and allowing a person on the road to see the people inside the house and revealing all the activities on inside the house and with leaking roofs, etc. Widows and divorcees were not given any maintenance. Government houses were allocated in a very arbitrary way.
After I was elected as councillor, I pleaded with His Majesty The King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for houses and His Majesty agreed, resulting in a BD120 million allocation for 6,000 homes at 135 houses per tranche. Houses that needed to be repaired were renovated.
It was during my term that we ensured that the allocation was increased to BD2.5 million from BD600,000 for renovation of damaged houses.
I am also responsible for making Bukawara road into what it is today. It was a single lane street with dust and filth. Now it’s a prime area. When I got the road ready, the going rate for plots in the area was BD3-4 per sqm, and it now sells at a far higher rate.
Many gardens have been given a facelift at outlays of BD25,000 to BD60,000.
How do you view the entry of women into the Municipal Council?
Welcome. There is no harm. There is a Bahraini lady heading the UN and we have two who already are ministers and serving well. Why not have them here as well?
What are the strong points in your campaigning?
I have flyers and booklets informing people about my achievements what I intend to do if re-elected. These are distributed door-to-door by a group of young boys and girls. In some places, they ask to see me and I make it a point to see them and talk with them.
Chamber of Deputies
Khalifa Al Dhahrani – 60%
Sheikh Salman bin Saqer- 15%
Hassan Abdullah Al Meer – 13%
Khalid Ahmed Al Shaikh – 12%
Municipal Council
Ibrahim Abdulraheem Fakhroo – 65%
Abdulrazzaq Abdullah Ali – 13%
Emad Abdullah Al Ansari – 12%
Hamad Jassim Harbi -12%
Voters have their say
Adel Abdullah, shop owner: Khalifa Ahmed Khalifa Al Dhahrani is my pick for the Chamber of Deputies. He is good and has done much for us. Ibrahim Abdulraheem Fakhroo will get my vote for the Municipal Council. He has done so much. This road came about when he was Council Representative. I am sure they will do so much more.
Adel Abdullah, Customs Officer: I will vote for Hassan Al Meer for the Chamber of Deputies and Ibrahim Fakhroo for the Municipal Council. They are both good people. They know what the people want and can deliver the goods as well.
Abdul Razzaq Mohammed: My candidate for the Chamber of Deputies is Hassan Al Meer and for the Municipality, the choice is Abdulrazzaq Abdullah Ali. They make a difference. I know them both and they know me and I am sure they can be approached.
Khalifa Ali: I will vote for Hassan Al Meer for the Chamber of Deputies and Ibrahim Fakhroo for the Municipal Council because they are both good people and have done much for me and the people.
Saud Adel: I support Ibrahim Fakhroo for the Municipal Council and Hassan Al Meer for the Chamber of Deputies for this election. They are both good and have done much for the people of this place.
Swing Factor
Khalifa Ahmed Khalifa Al Dhahrani, who contests for a second time is a hot favourite. The electorate is quite sure that he will draw 60 per cent of the votes on a conservative estimate. Hassan Abdullah Al Meer, who claims he moved out for Al Dhahrani and bin Saqer have been judged by the people to be among the other top contenders, although they pack a much lighter punch. The others say the electorate do not have much significance.
In the Municipal Council Ibrahim Abdulraheem Fakhroo is the clear winner. His performance has gone down well with the electorate who place him at a 65% draw, again on a conservative estimate. The others, the electorate said, will draw fractured votes of their own relatives and friends.
ISSUES
The area does not have adequate sewage pipelines and rainwater gutters. In addition, there are not enough pedestrian paths and street and property lighting. There is the need for a maternity hospital and youth clubs. The constituency does not have enough primary, elementary and secondary schools and book shops.
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com
