AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Friday

23 September 2011

8:30:00 PM
267602

Bahrainis shun polls amid crackdown

Bahrain's main opposition group has said the country's controversial parliamentary by-elections have been boycotted by thousands, as regime forces continue their brutal crackdown on mass protests.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Al-Wefaq further added that the Al Khalifa regime has stopped broadcasting the Saturday elections, which all the opposition parties have shunned, over fears of its embarrassingly low turnout.

Manama held the by-elections to replace the 18 lawmakers who resigned in protests at the regime's brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Anti-regime protesters took to the streets on Saturday to protest both against the regime and the elections. Regime forces, meanwhile, staged a massive show of force across the Persian Gulf country, cracking down on anyone calling for an election boycott.

Local media earlier reported that the regime has even considered punishing eligible voters that have refused to take part in the election.

Regime forces attacked opposition protesters that were calling for an election boycott in Manama on Friday. This comes while hundreds of anti-government protesters were marching towards Pearl Square, the former epicenter of Bahrain's revolution.

Witnesses say regime forces fired tear gas to prevent protesters from reaching the area. There have been unconfirmed reports of injuries and arrests.

Bahraini authorities had stepped up their crackdown on anti-government activists prior to the elections.

Bahrain is going through a revolution that began in mid-February. Since then, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more injured.

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