Bahrain holds parliamentary elections. Eguide
Al-Wifaq, Bahrain's main Shi'a opposition group, captured 18 out of 40 seats in the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday. In the weeks leading up to the election, al-Wifaq accused the government of harassing their supporters. Although Shias comprise 70 percent of the population in Bahrain, the Sunni minority controls the government. This was the third parliamentary election in the Gulf nation since King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa reinstated Parliament in 2002. The lower chamber of Parliament has the ability to pass legislation proposed by the King. However, the upper chamber, whose members are appointed by the monarch, can veto that legislation. Eight women were among the 127 competing candidates. Nine districts will hold a runoff vote on October 30, as no candidate received an absolute majority in the first round.
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