Bahrain

Council of Representatives Shura Council

Council of Representatives

Political system: Monarchy
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 24 Nov 2018 to 01 Dec 2018
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 40
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: -

Notes: Although political parties are not allowed, "political associations" were legalized by an amendment in 2005 to the 1989 law prohibiting political parties.
Total number of candidates: 292
Number of male candidates: 252
Number of female candidates: 40
Percentage of women candidates: 13.7%

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 365,467

Results

About the election: The 2018 election saw a high turnover: Only three of the 23 outgoing MPs who were seeking re-election kept their seats in the 40-member Council of Representatives. A handful of candidates affiliated with "political associations" (see note) were voted in, including three candidates from Al Asalah and one from the Unity Gathering Assembly . The number of women doubled to six. Ms. Fawzia Zainal was elected Speaker, becoming the first woman in Bahrain to assume the post.

Prior to the 2018 elections, several political associations, including the Islamic National Accord Association (Al Wefaq, a Shia association and the main political opposition group), were dissolved by court orders upon request from the government. In June, the King ratified an amendment to the Exercise of Political Rights Act, enacted by parliament in May. The amended law prohibits leaders and members of dissolved political associations as well as those who have spent more than six months in prison from running for elected office. The government encouraged Shias to run as independent candidates.

Note:

Although political parties are not allowed, "political associations" were legalized by an amendment in 2005 to the 1989 law prohibiting political parties.

Note on the Parties or coalitions winning seats:

The distribution of seats above refers to the composition of the Council of Representatives in April 2019. In addition to the political associations, there are three parliamentary groups formed after the 2018 elections: “Bahrain”, led by Mr. Ammar Qambar, Chairman of the Services Committee; Al Methaq – “National Action Charter”, led by MP Mohamed Alsisi Alboainain; and Taqadom, which unofficially represents the Progressive Tribune association.
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 42.5%
Alternation of power after elections: No

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group	Total
Assala Association	3
Taqadom	2
Unity Gathering Assembly	1
Almethaq - National Action Charter"	6
Bahrain	11
Independents	17

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 34
Number of women elected: 6
Percentage of women elected: 15.0%
Women Directly Elected: 6
Sources: Council of Representatives (03.12.2018, 05.12.2018, 23.04.2019, 02.05.2019)

http://www.vote.bh

Bahrain: Unrest, Security, and U.S. Policy Updated December 4, 2018, Congressional Research Service (https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/95-1013.pdf)

Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (https://www.adhrb.org/)

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 34
Total number of women after the election: 6
Percentage of women after the election: 15.0%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 12 Dec 2018

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Fawzia Zainal (Female)
Date of birth: 1961
Date of election: 12 Dec 2018