Diversity Evident in Upcoming Bahrain Elections
November 14, 2006

According to Voice of America the November 25th parliamentary elections in Bahrain will feature women and Christian candidates, signifying diversity and tolerance in the country.  With one of the females running unopposed, this election will yield “the Gulf’s first female parliamentarian.”  Asia News reports that Christian Ibrahim Zahi Suleiman will also be competing in the elections.  The same report says that a female Christian is also part of the royally appointed Consultative Council, a position in which she represents the Christians of Bahrain.  A Christian has been elected in Bahrain in the past.

Voice of America also reports that “the United States favors the presence of international observers during Bahrain’s election,” to show the people that the elections are free and fair.  Freedom House classifies Bahrain as “partly free” with political rights and civil liberties rating both at “5”.  Freedom in the World 2006 has also noted Bahrain’s progress in the past year, allowing the expansion of civil society within the country. Bahrain was invited as a participant in the Community of Democracies 2005 Ministerial held in Santiago Chile.

Sources:

Asia News (Italy): Christian and three women to contest Bahrain election
Freedom House: Freedom in the World 2006, Bahrain
Voice of America: Women And Bahrain's Election