No Women Win in Historic Bahraini Vote
MANAMA, Bahrain -- Women candidates failed to win seats Thursday in Bahrain’s landmark municipal elections, which were hailed by officials and the opposition as another step toward democratic reforms in this small Gulf Arab state.
Bahrain last held municipal elections 32 years ago.
The revival of the polls, in which women were candidates for the first time, was part of the kingdom’s efforts to end decades of simmering sectarian tension.
Justice Minister Sheik Abdullah ibn Khalid Khalifa, announcing the results at a news conference early today, said male candidates won 30 of the 50 contested seats. The remainder will be decided after a second round of balloting next Thursday.
The government will still appoint the heads of the five municipal councils, each with 10 elected members.
About 300 candidates, including 30 women, took part in Thursday’s election.
“Women had the same chance as everyone else,” Abdullah said. “The results reflect the will of the people.”
Women in Bahrain were given the right to vote in the 1920s. But it was only this year that the reformist ruler, Sheik Hamed ibn Isa Khalifa, decided to allow them to stand in elections as well.
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