Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1955
2006-11-22 14:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

ELECTION HIGHLIGHTS 9: AN OFFICIAL "NO" TO

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM BA POL 
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VZCZCXRO6582
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #1955/01 3261444
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221444Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6043
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
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).

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,
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.


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