V L Srinivasan
Manama (Bahrain), March 31:
By-elections for the 11 parliamentary seats left vacant following mass resignations by Al Wefaq MPs are inevitable, an expert on the Bahraini Constitution said yesterday.
Renowned attorney Yousif Zainalabdeen Zainal said as the matter has been referred to the Justice Minister, elections are now the only option.
“His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa can call for elections at his discretion at a certain time if the situation is conducive to holding them,” Mr. Zainal, who served as an MP between 2002 and 2006, told DT.
He added that in all likelihood, the elections would be held within the next two to three months and Al Wefaq would boycott the polls.
Mr. Zainal added that once the Council has accepted the resignations, they are now final. “Article 63 of the Constitution gives the Council the right to decide whether it should accept the resignations which cannot be challenged in a court of law,” he said.
Al Asala leader MP Adel Al Moawda added that the 11 ex-MPs, like any other citizens, can contest the elections provided they are not facing any court cases.
“It is up to His Majesty the King to decide when the elections should be held. It can be one week, one month or six months,” he said.
Mr. Al Moawda condemned the MPs for resigning from the Parliament, saying that they have not lived up to their responsibilities as lawmakers.
“The en masse resignation means the remaining 22 MPs have to do the work of 40 MPs, which is very difficult and puts a great burden on them,” he said.
The lawmaker added that Al Wefaq Society was apparently “surprised” that the Council had accepted its resignations.
Manama (Bahrain), March 31:
By-elections for the 11 parliamentary seats left vacant following mass resignations by Al Wefaq MPs are inevitable, an expert on the Bahraini Constitution said yesterday.
Renowned attorney Yousif Zainalabdeen Zainal said as the matter has been referred to the Justice Minister, elections are now the only option.
“His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa can call for elections at his discretion at a certain time if the situation is conducive to holding them,” Mr. Zainal, who served as an MP between 2002 and 2006, told DT.
He added that in all likelihood, the elections would be held within the next two to three months and Al Wefaq would boycott the polls.
Mr. Zainal added that once the Council has accepted the resignations, they are now final. “Article 63 of the Constitution gives the Council the right to decide whether it should accept the resignations which cannot be challenged in a court of law,” he said.
Al Asala leader MP Adel Al Moawda added that the 11 ex-MPs, like any other citizens, can contest the elections provided they are not facing any court cases.
“It is up to His Majesty the King to decide when the elections should be held. It can be one week, one month or six months,” he said.
Mr. Al Moawda condemned the MPs for resigning from the Parliament, saying that they have not lived up to their responsibilities as lawmakers.
“The en masse resignation means the remaining 22 MPs have to do the work of 40 MPs, which is very difficult and puts a great burden on them,” he said.
The lawmaker added that Al Wefaq Society was apparently “surprised” that the Council had accepted its resignations.
No comments:
Post a Comment