MANAMA, 25 October — Bahrainis in large numbers voted enthusiastically in the Gulf nation’s first legislative elections in nearly 30 years yesterday, spurning a boycott call by a religious group that said the step toward democracy did not go far enough.
Polling was estimated at over 52 percent as counting continued late into the night. The election marked a milestone for women who voted and ran for national office for the first time in a Gulf Arab state. Women’s enthusiasm was evident from the length of their queues at polling stations which more than matched those of men.
The election had tremendous emotional appeal for the voters as they seemed to enjoy the democratic process, especially young Bahrainis for whom it was a first-time experience.
Election officials at polling stations across the kingdom characterized the voting in the morning and early afternoon as brisk or better than expected. Polling picked up sharply in the evening.
Jasem Al-Khaja, a retired Ministry of Education official, said: "I am very happy to vote today. I believe we are entering a totally new era." He said he dismissed the call for boycott of the election. "I believe the election is going to bring about massive changes for all of us and we should cooperate in developing the democratic system."
Naeema Beloushi, a businesswoman, said she thought of boycotting the poll, but later decided against it. "I was going to boycott the election but the candidate I am going to vote today convinced me of the importance of this election and having a Parliament and how this will change our lives for ever."
Fatima Abdul Aziz, 70, one of several people who stood in a women-only line to vote, said she would not be intimidated by the anti-election campaign in her village of Karranah, outside the capital Manama. "I was asked by people to boycott, but I told them to get lost," she said.
Arab News spoke to Aneesa Fakrou, a female candidate contesting against seven male aspirants in Al-Muharag district just before polling started. She said she hoped to come out third in her constituency. Fakrou felt that some of the candidates were not qualified to run but they were encouraged to join the bandwagon following the boycott of experienced politicians.
The king’s wife, Sheikha Sabikha Al-Khalifa, had addressed gatherings in working class districts, urging women to vote.
Salama Ali Salim, 55, who arrived in a wheelchair, said she was impressed by Sheikha Sabika’s tour of predominantly Shiite villages south of the capital. "She is what has brought me here," said Salama, who comes from Diraz, one of the villages visited by the king’s wife.
Voters had to elect 40 members of Parliament in the first such election since 1973. Among the 177 candidates were eight women.
This election, and the earlier municipal elections, are part of the democratization process initiated by Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifa after he ascended the throne in 1999 following his father’s death.
Last year, Bahrainis overwhelmingly endorsed a national charter that spelled out the reform program. In February, Sheikh Hamad declared a constitutional monarchy and called legislative elections.
But four political groups, including the Al-Wefaq movement, urged voters to boycott because the Parliament’s second chamber — a council appointed by the king — will have as much power as the elected assembly.
Bahrain went through a wave of political turbulence after 1994 when people took to the streets to press for democracy and an end to perceived discrimination in state jobs and services. More than 40 people were killed.
The campaign quieted down after Sheikh Hamad took power. He pardoned more than 1,000 political prisoners and allowed exiles to return.
