ELECTION HIGHLIGHTS 9: AN OFFICIAL "NO" TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001955 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM BA POL SUBJECT: ELECTION HIGHLIGHTS 9: AN OFFICIAL "NO" TO INTERNATIONAL MONITORS, POST-ELECTION VOTER LISTS Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In the first official public statement on the matter, Minister of Information Dr. Mohamed Abdul Ghaffar stated to Arabic daily Al Wasat November 21 that Bahrain would not allow international organizations to monitor the elections November 25. However, it was reported in the press November 22 that there will be approximately 400 local observers, among whom are 140 Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) and 25 Bahrain Human Rights Society monitors. BTS president Dr. Jasim Al Ajmi said that BTS would release progress reports throughout the day on election day on the BTS web site. The High Commission for Elections announced November 21 that it would provide post-election voter lists to candidates so that they could verify there were no unregistered voters casting ballots in their districts. Al Ajmi welcomed the decision of the High Commission, telling Poloff that the decision increases transparency in the process and will increase the trust between the government, the candidates, and the public. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) "NO INTERNATIONAL MONITORS": In an article published by Arabic daily Al Wasat November 22, Minister of Information Dr. Abdul Ghaffar stated that the GOB will not allow international organizations to monitor the Bahraini elections November 25 and December 2. He wondered why Arab countries bring in foreign citizens "to supervise us as if we are underage. The Bahraini people are mature and understanding. The election process is continuing smoothly." ¶3. (C) BTS, BHRS OBSERVERS: BTS president Dr. Al Ajmi told Poloff November 21 that BTS completed the third of three trainings to prepare volunteer monitors for the elections. A total of 140 volunteers participated. In addition, he said that the Bahrain Human Rights Society had 25 volunteers that would observe. (According to Arabic daily Al Ayam November 22, there are a total of 400 local observers from nine registered civil society groups.) BTS will post four progress reports on election day on its web site (www.bahrainemjc2006.com) in both English and Arabic at approximately the following Bahraini times: 10:00 am, 3:00 pm, 9:00 pm, and when final results are released. In another move to introduce transparency into the vote count process, �0A;Al Ajmi said that when the final results are released, they will be broken down into three numbers: those who voted in the district, those who voted in general polling stations, and those who voted outside Bahrain in embassies. In recognition of BTS' credibility, Al Ajmi said that three Arabic dailies, Al Waqt, Al Ayam, and Al Wasat, told him that they would only publish BTS election reports and not those of any other organizations planning to observe the elections. ¶4. (SBU) POST-POLL VOTER LISTS: The High Commission for Elections announced November 21 that after election results are released, it would give candidates lists of the names of all voters in their respective districts who cast their votes on election day. The statement said that this provision will increase transparency and refute allegations of the existence of a group of "floating voters" casting ballots at the general polling stations. Candidates will be able to verify for themselves whether or not there were groups of voters from outside their districts attempting to influence the race outcomes. ¶5. (C) Speaking to Poloff November 21, BTS' Al Ajmi welcomed the High Commission's decision, saying that it should calm the public's anxiety about the alleged 8,000 floating voters. He said this announcement relieves much pressure on BTS and its observers, who will be present at all polling stations on election day, because BTS no longer has the full weight of monitoring the general poll stations on its shoulders. He said that High Commission for Elections Judge Khalid Ajaji called him November 20 to discuss the issue of the opposition to the ten general polling stations. Al Ajmi reported to Poloff that he told Ajaji that even though he (Al Ajmi) knew that the High Commission was working transparently and honestly, in the context of a lack of public trust in the election process, sometimes it was necessary to take steps beyond what is normally required. "It is not a question of whether you are doing right, but whether others perceive that you are doing right." ¶6. (C) TRUST BETWEEN ELECTION HIGH COMMISSION, BTS: Al Ajmi told Poloff that he is pleased with the relationship that has developed between the High Commission and BTS. He said that he has gone to great lengths to convince the High Commission that BTS is working with them to ensure that the elections are welcomed by the public as legitimate, free, and fair. The benefit of these efforts is that the High Commission has reached out to BTS several times for suggestions about how to MANAMA 00001955 002 OF 002 deal with particular issues. For example, Bahraini ballots are numbered for inventory purposes, but BTS was concerned that voters may have anxiety about their votes being traced. The High Commission consulted BTS on a possible solution, and BTS suggested that the piles of ballots be shuffled to randomize the ballots. The High Commission has agreed to this solution. ¶7. (C) MILITARY VOTERS: Minister of Defense Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa announced November 21 that military personnel will vote in the elections in line with their constitutional rights. Post has received several reports, however, that over the past several days military personnel have been ordered to submit their national identification cards and passports, both of which are required to vote, to their superiors. Sources speculate that military personnel will be called in on election day to receive their documents, be told for whom they should vote (or not vote),and be transported in groups to one of the general polling stations. ¶8. (SBU) FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST AL WATAN: Eight Central Governorate parliamentary candidates filed a formal complaint against Arabic daily Al Watan for publishing a special election insert November 16 that displays a map of the governorate with pictures of the candidates Al Watan projected would win. In their complaint the candidates make the case that the insert unduly influences the electorate by promoting the candidates depicted on the insert. The press announced that the Public Prosecution would open an investigation on November 22. ¶9. (SBU) PETITION AGAINST GENERAL CENTERS: Al Wifaq candidate Jalal Fairooz announced November 21 that more than 100 candidates (independents and those representing political societies) had signed a petition demanding the elimination of the ten general polling stations and had forwarded it to the Royal Court. Fairooz noted that prominent Sunni political societies Al Minbar and Al Asala did not sign the petition, but members of many of the other societies did. On November 21 Al Wifaq General Secretary and parliamentary candidate Shaikh Ali Salman announced that Minister of Justice Dr. Mohamed Ali Al Sitri would meet the next day with a delegation representing those who signed the petition. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE