| 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. |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Electoral system module
