|
Islamic Candidates Triumph in Bahrain Election
 |
|
The
turnout stood at 53.2%, compared to 51% for municipal polls in
May
|
MANAMA, October 25 (News Agencies) - Sunni and Shiite Islamic candidates
triumphed in the first elections to
Bahrain
's parliament since 1973, according to official results announced at
dawn Friday, October 25.
Five
Sunni Islamic candidates, including two heads of political groups, won
parliamentary seats outright in the first round of voting, Agence
France-Presse (AFP) reported.
Seventeen
other Sunni and Shiite Islamic candidates went through to the second
round to be held October 31, most of them well ahead of their nearest
rivals.
Thirteen
independent Sunni and Shiite candidates took second place while two
liberals and two women could enter parliament after the second round,
AFP added.
The
first parliamentary elections in the
Arab
Gulf
archipelago since 1973 were billed as the crowning glory of the
political reforms launched by King Hamad after his accession in March
1999.
Even
though four of
Bahrain
's 15 political groups, including the most influential Shiite Islamic
group, decided to boycott the election, their leaders have all welcomed
the king's reforms.
The
groups are unhappy at an amendment to the 1973 constitution stipulating
that legislative power be split equally between the elected chamber and
a consultative council to be appointed by King Hamad.
They
are also displeased that the division of the state into 40
constituencies did not take count of demographics and the size of each
electoral area.
Some
MPs would be elected by 12,000 voters and others by only 500, they
argued.
|
|
The elections saw eight women candidates running for Parliament seats
|
Some
243,000 people were eligible to vote in the elections, which are blowing
a wind of democracy through the conservative Gulf region, and with women
not only getting a chance to vote but also standing as candidates.
The
elections saw eight women candidates among 174 running for 37 seats.
Information
Minister Nabil al-Hamar announced a turnout of 53.2 percent, compared to
51 percent for municipal polls in May.
Three
of the seats in the 40-member parliament were awarded automatically
either because the candidates stood unopposed or because their rivals
had pulled out of the race.
Kuwait
alone among
Arab
Gulf
states has an elected parliament.
|
|
Chechens in Moscow Face Ethnic Threats
Conflicting News about Maskhadov’s Role in Moscow Hostage-Taking
Bitter Scenarios for Russian Hostage Crisis
Chechen Women Fighters Ready to Die in Moscow Theater
Chechnya’s Representative: All Chechens Are Hostages of Russian Military
Chechen Fighters to Release Foreigners, Give Russia 7 Day Ultimatum
Palestine:
Israeli Tanks Sweep Jenin, Army Fires at Journalists
Israeli Forces Storm Jenin, Shoot Anyone They See
Israeli Army Kills Palestinian
Child in Jenin As Burns Talks Peace
PA Greater Respecter of Press Freedom Than Israel: RSF
23 Injured During Israeli Incursions in Rafah
Victims of Bus Blast Mostly Soldiers, Israel Demolishes More Homes
Iraq:
Umm Najm Ready to Stop
“Thief” Bush Setting Foot in Iraq
Former Indian Premiers Speak
Against U.S. War on Iraq
Philippines Congress Votes Against U.S. Invasion of Iraq
Russia, France Oppose U.S.
Draft Resolution On Iraq
We Have No Kuwaiti Prisoners To
Release: Iraq
Russian Forces Free Theater Hostages, Kill Chechen Fighters
Bush Rejects Any U.N. Resolution Curtailing War Ability
U.S.-Drafted Peace "Roadmap" Detailed
Anti-War Senator, Family Members Killed In Plane Crash
Anti-U.S. Sentiment Spreads to Pakistan's Doctors over Top Surgeon's Arrest
Swedes to Demonstrate against U.S. Policy in Mideast
State Department Updates Terrorist List, Adds Jemaah Islamiya
Muslim Scholar Detained, British Judges Back Anti-Terror Powers
Muslims Pleased By Arrests, Caution Against Speculation
Pakistani Ministers Apply for Upcoming Senate Elections
Turkey to Reconsider E.U. Ties If No Talks Date Set
Chechen Fighters Release 15,
Including 8 Children
Islamic Candidates Triumph in Bahrain Election
Russian Muslims Condemn Theater Operation: Muslim Leaders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
