Six opposition groups announce boycotting elections: Bahrain

Bahrain’s six opposition groups have announced boycotting the parliamentary and municipal elections to be held on November 12.

The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Islamic Action Society, Al-Wafa'a Islamic Party, February 14 Coalition, Bahrain Freedom Movement and Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy issued a joint statement, describing the elections as "a sham process that lacks legitimacy and popular representation."

According to Bahrain Mirror, the statement read, “The regime in Bahrain is investing this electoral process for further tyranny, authoritarianism, confiscation of popular will and acquisition of wealth, plundering country's wealth and resources, increasing taxes on people, further normalization with the Zionists, crimes against human rights and incursion of corruption."

The opposition groups reiterated that "all the people of Bahrain without exception are affected and targeted in their livelihoods, freedoms, security and all their rights because of this electoral process, which is arranged by the regime in a way that only suits it."

Moreover, the six groups summoned on the people - Shias and Sunnis - from all regions and components to boycott the electoral process describing it as farcical. According to the opposition groups, this moves aims to ”preserve the sovereignty of the country and protect it from corruption, Judaization and elimination of the national identity for the future of Bahrain and its people.”

Back in mid-July, Bahrain’s most prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim dismissed the upcoming parliamentary elections as “a new disaster and calamity” for the country, stating that the polls will only reinforce the Al Khalifah dynasty’s reactionary and oppressive measures and jeopardize the interests of the Bahraini people.

General elections are scheduled to be held in Bahrain on November 12 to elect the 40 members of the Council of Representatives.

MG