“How can we participate in a legislative council if the final decision is taken by the Shura Council”, said Sheik Ali Salman, Secretary General of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, in a Ramadan gathering last night.
The Shura Council is the upper house in Bahrain and is fully appointed by the King. Salman went on, “If, according to the recently issued legislation, the legislative council can only question ministers if two thirds of the council agrees, then what’s the use?”
Salman called on voters to boycott the elections as long as there is no real political reform.
“If the elections do not produce the executive authority, which is the centre of political process, then the political process remains empty of value”, he added. He said the bases of political process in Bahrain need to be changed from the unilateral decision to the people’s decision via a full-power parliament and an elected government and fair electoral districts.
Presence of Malinowski is welcomed
“Al Wefaq’s Ramdan reception is open to all, including foreign State representatives. The presence of Mr. Tom Malinowski in the reception is welcomed. This is not something new to Al Wefaq’s events”, Salman said, “Al Wefaq’s meetings with representatives of foreign States is a fundamental political right for any opposition party and any faction of the people”. He added, “These meetings are routinely held, most are held in Al Wefaq headquarters and we think there is a wide understanding for the people’s demands”.
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