BCCI poll panel receives 212 review calls

A COMMITTEE overseeing the elections to Bahrain’s main trade body received more than 200 requests for amendments to the voters’ list, when the deadline for CR holders to register to vote ended on Tuesday.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (BCCI) elections committee chairman Jassim Abdula’al told the GDN yesterday that no further amendments to the voters’ list will be considered.

Business owners were given 10 days, from February 11 to 20, to make the necessary amendments to match the voter eligibility criteria.

“We have received 212 applications for data amendment and insertion between February 11 and February 20,” said Mr Abdula’al.

“There is no extension to this date and the applications were reviewed by the committee members who verified the appeals for insertion in the voters list confirming their eligibility to vote.”

The GDN reported last week that a total of 30,742 voters out of the eligible 100,000 have so far registered to cast their ballot in the elections scheduled for March 10.

The final list of the voters is on the chamber’s website.

Meanwhile, a new bloc has entered to contest the polls, taking the number of contestants to five blocs and six independent candidates.

The newly formed block, Taawon (Co-operation) is made up of seven business pioneers Sayed Saeed Al Alawi, Hameed Al Hili, Abdullah Madan, Ghalib Al Arabi, Abbas Al Jamri, Ali Al Halwachi and Fadhel Suleebi.

The bloc, according to its head Mr Al Hili, intends to motivate entrepreneurs who are falling behind in the market to develop their capabilities and responsibilities to match the conditions of the market.

“Taawon believes that motivating the Bahraini youth to access the world of entrepreneurship and promoting them to offer their high quality services to outside markets is a part of refreshing the Bahraini economy,” said a statement.

“We intend to push the role of the chamber to take part in boards which are formed in collaboration between the government and other parties like the social security directory and Tamkeen, as well as others that protect the rights of business owners.”

A final list of all candidates contesting the polls will be released on March 8. Voting will take place for 18 seats up for grabs at the Isa Cultural Centre, Juffair, from 8am to 10pm.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/319077/BCCI-poll-panel-receives-212-review-calls