Voting stations are scheduled to stay open until Saturday evening.

Close to 140 candidates from different political groupings such as Al-Wefaq, Al-Asalah, Minbar and Mustaqbal are vying for the 40 seats of the lower house of Parliament.

The outcome of the voting poses no challenge to Bahrain’s leaders and it could provide a forum for demands for more accountability.

First results are expected hours after the polls close.