The Shura Council has rejected a move to allow Bahrainis abroad to vote in municipal council elections.
Amendments to the 2002 Municipal Councils Election Law were approved by MPs in January last year and referred to the Shura Council.
The council’s public utilities and environment affairs committee initially supported the move but following a debate in October last year withdrew it for further assessment.
Following legal consultation, the same committee recommended that the move be rejected.
All members present during yesterday’s session rejected the move except for second vice-chairwoman Jameela Nusaif who said allowing overseas voting would have meant higher participation in municipal elections.
Under election rules, voters have to be in Bahrain at the time of municipal elections to be able to cast their ballots.
Expatriates with property in Bahrain are also allowed to vote in municipal elections.
However, Bahrainis living or travelling abroad can vote in parliament elections by registering in advance with the Bahraini embassy or consulate concerned.
Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh amended the committee’s report by omitting several causes for rejection related to expatriates lobbying against members, allowing non-Bahraini residents with property to vote and incurring additional costs to hold elections.
A landmark ruling in 2016 by the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission that could have allowed those listed and living abroad to vote in municipal elections was vetoed.
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa was against the ruling, saying decisions taken by Bahrain’s three elected municipal councils did not represent citizens living overseas.
Ms Nusaif said the rejection was based on a negative approach.
“The committee said no country in the region allowed overseas municipal voting, and Bahrain shouldn’t either, but where is the harm in allowing it?
“Diplomatic missions are already open for parliament elections, so there is no additional arrangements or costs, it would just require an additional box.”
She said this was a national issue and required encouraging people to vote.
Public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Fouad Al Haji said it was wrong for Ms Nusaif to question members’ approach rather than admitting there was a difference of opinion.
“Parliament elections are different from municipal elections as expatriates are allowed to vote if they own property and are in the country at the time,” he said.
“Municipal councils are restricted to matters in areas while MPs represent the whole of Bahrain here and abroad.
“The law states that organising municipal elections is left to a special committee without giving details leaving it open – four per cent of expatriates own property in Bahrain out of whom 70pc are GCC nationals. So when that number grows to 20pc can we restrict their influence on the outcome of municipal elections and them forming a bloc and determining urbanisation in the country?”
Shura legislative and legal affairs committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed said the Constitutional Court has ruled that the 2002 Political Rights Law states parliament elections are a right without even referencing municipal elections.
“This means voting in municipal elections is not a political right, just an involvement in government provided services and has nothing to do with legislation,” she said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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