Majority shun election code
LESS than a quarter of election candidates have signed a code of conduct agreeing to keep dirty tricks off the campaign trail.
Just 33 parliament and 30 municipal council hopefuls have backed the initiative, which was launched by the Bahrain Transparency Society last week.
Central Governorate candidate Laila Rajab and Enas Shabeeb, standing for election in the Northern Governorate, were the first women to join the code.
Society president Abdulnabi Al Ekri described the results as disappointing.
“We hoped a larger number would pledge to this code and keep their campaigns clean,” he told the GDN yesterday.
Mr Al Ekri said clearly some candidates did not see the code as important or relevant to the race for election on October 23.
“They think this will not affect the elections or the integrity of the campaigns,” he said.
“This code ensures that everyone follow international and national laws that monitor the elections process.
“It’s a pledge to keep it clean and run a fair campaign.”
The deadline for candidates to sign the code was due to end last Saturday, but has been extended to tomorrow to allow for more people to join the campaign .
“We are urging candidates to join and show they are committed to use this code as a guideline for their campaign,” said Mr Al Ekri.
The code of conduct includes pledges to protect the right of voters to choose their candidate freely and respect the role of monitors.
It also includes pledges to refrain from defaming other candidates and a commitment to not provoke sectarianism.
It also urges candidates to refrain from presenting voters with gifts or donations during the campaign directly or indirectly.
Last week, nine candidates signed the code of conduct along with two political societies.
The National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad) and the Progressive Democratic Tribune have both signed the document on behalf of their candidates.
Wa’ad secretary general and parliamentary candidate Ibrahim Sharif signed it on behalf of his organisation, with Progressive Democratic Tribune parliamentary candidates Fadhel Al Hulaibi and Dr Hassan Madan signing on behalf of their bloc.
Independent parliamentary candidates Khadem Al Saeed, Adel Al Ejaimi, Zainalabideen Al Mahmood and Jaffar Madan have also signed up, along with two municipal council candidates – independent Ali Abdulwahed Shehab and the Progressive Democratic Tribune’s Adel Hassan Darwish.
However, two Islamist blocs have shunned the signing of the code – Al Asala and Al Menbar.
“If a candidate is honourable not a signing a document won’t change that,” said veteran MP and Al Asala bloc member Shaikh Adel Al Ma’awda. “Signing this conduct will not add anything; an honourable candidate will stay that way and one who is not won’t change just because he signed a code.”
Mr Al Ma’awda said he had been planning to sign the pledge but did not get the time.
Al Menbar National Islamic Society secretary general Dr Abdullatif Al Shaikh said the bloc had not been invited to sign the code, but would be happy to do so if contacted.
A total of 179 municipal council candidates and 138 parliament candidates are in the running for the upcoming elections.
basma_(at)_gdn.com.bh
Gulf Daily News 12th October 2010