Manama, Nov. 19 (BNA): Bahrainis, bolstered by their enthusiasm that they witnessed last week, set a new record of 73.38% in polling turnout, starting this morning with the opening of committees to cast their votes in the second and final round of elections. 2022 Parliamentary and municipal elections.
On November 12, voters went to the polls to elect 40 members of the House of Representatives, one of the two chambers of the bicameral parliament, and 30 members of municipal councils.
However, in 34 of the 40 constituencies for the parliamentary elections, there has been no winner with more than 50 percent of the vote, and the two main contenders in each constituency will face each other in a run-off on November 19.
In the municipal elections, seven members were elected in the first round, and the remaining 23 seats will be decided in the second round.
The first round was a huge success with the turnout breaking the previous record of 73.18%.
The participation rate among women was 48%, compared to 45.37% among youth.
A total of 95 women are contesting the elections – 73 for seats in the House of Representatives and 22 for municipal councils.
In the first round, a woman was elected to the House of Representatives and another to the Municipal Council.
The second round is a new opportunity for 14 women in leadership positions, but with less than 50% of the vote, or runner-up, eight in parliamentary polls and six in municipal elections.
Polling stations opened at eight in the morning and will remain open until eight in the evening.
Bahrain has held its parliamentary and municipal elections every four years since 2002, marking the beginning of massive constitutional and political reforms.