The overseas voting will take place a few days ahead of the country going to the polls, according to a government statement on Tuesday.

Overseas voters will cast their votes on Oct. 19 with the elections taking place in Bahrain on Oct. 23. If there is a second round of voting, which only occurs when no candidate secures a majority of over 50 percent, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will enter a second round of voting in that constituency on Oct. 26 for overseas voters and Oct. 30 in Bahrain.

“We are looking forward to welcome all Bahraini citizens to participate in the elections. Every opportunity has been made to ensure Bahraini citizens across the world can cast their vote,” said Nawaf Alma’awdah, chief executive of the elections executive committee and chief public prosecutor.

Overseas voters or citizens expecting to travel overseas on the day of the elections, had the opportunity to register to cast their vote overseas between 29 Sept. 29 and Oct. 5 through the Internet, fax or through the dedicated call center. During the 2006 elections around 1,200 Bahraini citizens cast their vote overseas.

Those unable to cast their ballot overseas will have another opportunity to exercise their right of franchise by visiting one of the 49 polling centers on the polling day in Bahrain, Oct. 23.

“All polling stations are open for national NGO observers and this includes polling stations overseas. For any journalists wanting to cover the elections, we will welcome you,” added Alma’awdah, while emphasizing the transparency of the country’s elections.

Journalists wishing to cover the elections overseas should contact the relevant diplomatic mission overseas.