Bahrain

November 2006 | Ratings Update

The run up to the recent elections was tense, with reports of sabotage (burning of campaign tents and tearing down of posters). Only one of the 18 female candidates won a seat in the polls - and by default rather than voter support as no one ran against her. This reflects the prevailing ethos with regard to female participation in politics. Increased Shi'a representation in the lower chamber is a step towards correcting the sectarian asymmetry of power (a ruling Sunni minority in a Shia majority nation) and should defuse some of the underlying tensions, but reforms to lift parliament's clout are likely still some time away.

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