Bahrain opposition party threatens poll boycott

Manama: Bahrain's largest opposition party, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society Sunday asked its members and supporters not to participate in the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.

The group's senior leader Shaikh Hussain Al Daihi said in a statement that the membership of those who contest in the elections will be revoked, Xinhua reported.

Hundreds of candidates, including women, have joined the elections to win parliament and municipal seats in four governorates in the elections scheduled for Nov 22.

Along with Al Wefaq, other political parties such as the Democratic Progressive Tribune, the National Democratic Action Society, Al Ekha National Society and the National Democratic Assembly, which refer to themselves collectively as the National Democratic Opposition Parties, signed a declaration last week stating their intention to boycott the polls.

The group first made an announcement in May that it would boycott the elections because it believed that the government has failed to deal with several issues including claims of political naturalisation, distribution of electoral districts and vesting the parliament with more powers.