BAHRAIN-MANAMA: SHIAS LEAD IN ELECTIONS

Shias lead in second round of Bahrain vote
(AFP)
2 December 2006

MANAMA - Bahrainis on Saturday voted in the second round of a parliamentary election to choose the final 11 MPs in a poll that has seen massive gains for the Shia opposition in the small Gulf kingdom.

The leftist opposition National Democratic Action Association (NDAA), supported by the Islamic National Accord Association (INAA) which gained 16 seats in the first round, is fighting four of the remaining seats up for grabs in the 40-member parliament.

Both groups boycotted the last election in 2002, the first such vote in Bahrain since 1973. Results from the November 25 first round gave the INAA control of more than 40 percent of the elected chamber -- a share set to rise in the second round.

The NDAA’s four candidates are facing two opponents from the National Islamic Tribune Association which represents the Muslim Brotherhood -- one from the Sunni Salafi Assala (Authenticity) Association and an independent businessman.

A second round of municipal elections is also taking place Saturday.

Polling in the parliamentary vote is due to close at 1700 GMT and in the municipal vote two hours earlier.

Sheikh Ali Salman, the INAA’s charismatic leader, told AFP that all INAA candidates were expected to win in the second round.

“If this doesn’t happen, it will be because of fraud,” he said after the first round.

The elected chamber will have to coexist with an upper chamber appointed by King Hamad, and share its legislative powers.


Pertinent Links:

1) Shias lead in second round of Bahrain vote