Bahrain will vote in parliamentary elections on November 24.
The ruler of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, called for the vote and encouraged citizens to participate in "free, fair [and] transparent" elections.
The country's opposition boycotted elections in 2014.
The election will take place against the backdrop of a struggling economy. Bahrain will receive help from its Gulf neighbours — Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who provided a $10 billion aid package to the country in October.
Bahrain has been implementing a reform programme, such as introducing VAT.
How does Bahrain's parliament work?
Under the 2002 constitution, 40 citizens will be elected to the Council of Representatives. They will be joined by 40 royal appointees to Bahrain's upper house, called the Consultative Council.
The upper chamber has the power to block legislation by the lower house.
The lower house has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or cabinet and also has monitoring powers.
Women are allowed to vote and run for parliament under Bahrain’s revised constitution.
Eligible citizens will be allowed to vote on November 24 and December 1. Those abroad can cast their votes at their respective diplomatic missions and consulates on November 20 and November 27.
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Read more:
Bahrain's VAT to boost non-oil revenues and stabilise public debt, analysts say
Bahrain to hold elections on November 24
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Members from dissolved parties barred from running
Bahrain's current parliament approved a law in May barring members of dissolved political parties from running in elections.
The law claims that candidates “should not be one of the leaders and members of the actual political societies dissolved by a final judgment for committing a serious violation of the provisions of the Kingdom's constitution or any of its laws”.
Al Wefaq, a Shiite-majority party, withdrew its 18 parliamentarians from the National Assembly during the 2011 protests. They have called for a boycott of these elections, claiming they have been marginalised.
The National Democratic Action Society, an opposition group, has also been barred from running in these elections.
Accusations of Qatari influence
Bahrain arrested two nationals who were accused of receiving funding from a former Qatari minister in an attempt to interfere in the coming elections.
Bahrain News Agency said that the pair had received money from former Qatari minister Abdullah bin Khalid Al Thani.
“Investigations showed that one of the two nationals received from the Qatari former minister sums of money to run for the parliamentary elections set to be held this year and to support his electoral campaign,” said a statement on BNA.
The two were arrested at Bahrain International Airport upon their return from Qatar with more than BD12,000 (Dh116,950), according to Al Arabiya.
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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