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BAHRAIN
Majlis Al-Nuwab (Council of Representatives)

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Al-Majlis Al-Watani / National Assembly
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwab / Council of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Shura / Shura Council
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 2003 -
LEADERSHIP
President Ahmed Bin Ebrahim Almulla (M) 
Notes Elected on 14 Dec. 2014.
Secretary General Abdulla Bin Khalaf Aldoseri (M) 
Notes Appointed on 27 Oct. 2014.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 40 / 40
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 3 (7.50%)
Mode of designation directly elected 40
Term 4 years
Last renewal dates 22 November 2014
29 November 2014 (View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Council of Representatives
P.O. Box 54040
Manama
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (973 17) 74 84 44
74 84 00
Fax (973 17) 74 84 91
E-mail info@nuwab.gov.bh
Website
http://www.nuwab.bh/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Al-Majlis Al-Watani / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwab / Council of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Shura / Shura Council
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 1 January 2002
Mode of designation directly elected 40
Constituencies 40 single-member constituencies
Voting system Majority: Two-round system.
Run off elections are held if no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first round. An absolute majority is not required in the second round.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: at least 20 years old on election day
- citizenship of Bahrain
- residence in the country at the time of the election
- citizens overseas can vote without restriction
Disqualifications: persons convicted of a criminal or election-related offence, or an offence involving honesty or moral turpitude and who have not completed their sentences (excluding persons for whom execution of the sentence is suspended)
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - age: at least 30 years old on election day
- citizenship of Bahrain
- full civil and political rights
- ability to read and write Arabic
Ineligibilities:
- persons convicted for a capital crime
- persons sentenced to imprisonment of over six months or a more severe form of punishment. This disqualification is valid for ten years starting from the next day of the penalty execution or forfeiture of the penalty or the date when the sentence becomes final.
Incompatibilities - government ministers
- holders of judicial office (judges)
- prosecutors
Candidacy requirements - Candidates' names must be on the list of nominees for the constituency in which they are running.
- Persons nominating themselves for election to Parliament must apply in writing on a special form to the supervisory committee for verification of polls and elections.
- The application must be accompanied by a non refundable deposit of 200 Bahraini dinars.

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Al-Majlis Al-Watani / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwab / Council of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Shura / Shura Council
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to)22 November 2014
29 November 2014
Timing and scope of renewal Independent candidates took 35 of the 40 seats in the Council of Representatives in the 2014 elections. Two Sunni "political associations" (see note) took two seats respectively. Only 10 members of the outgoing legislature were re-elected. Three women were elected, up from only one in 2010. The Islamic National Accord Association, a Shia opposition political society which won 18 seats in 2010, boycotted the elections in support of their demands for political reforms.

Many candidates promised to create more jobs - in particular for young people - and provide more housing so as to improve living standards. The 2014 elections were the first to be held since violent confrontations took place in 2011 following calls from the Shia majority for greater political voice. The National Consensus Dialogue, launched in July 2011, led to the adoption of constitutional amendments in May 2012 which enhanced the directly elected Council of Representatives and reduced the power of the King and the appointed Shura Council.

Note:
Although political parties are not allowed, "political associations" were legalized by an amendment in 2005 to the 1989 law prohibiting political parties. In the 2010 elections, 23 of the 40 elected members belonged to political associations.
Date of previous elections: 23 & 30 October 2010

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: N/A

Timing of election: Upon normal expiry

Expected date of next elections: October 2018

Number of seats at stake: 40 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: 266 (243 men, 23 women)

Percentage of women candidates: 8.6%

Number of parties contesting the election: N/A

Number of parties winning seats: N/A*
*Two political societies won seats.

Alternation of power: N/A

Number of parties in government: N/A

Names of parties in government: N/A

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 14 December 2014

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Ahmed Bin Ebrahim Almulla
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 1 (from/to)22 November 2014
29 November 2014
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
349'713
183'936 (52.6%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Independents
Assala Association
National Islamic Tribune Association (Al Menbar)
Others
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Independents 35
Assala Association 2
National Islamic Tribune Association (Al Menbar) 2
Others 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
37

3

7.50%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Source: Council of Representatives (04.12.2014, 16.03.2015, 16.09.2018)

This page was last updated on 17 September 2018
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