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BAHRAIN
Majlis Al-Nuwab (Council of Representatives)
ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Electoral system module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Al-Majlis Al-Watani / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwab / Council of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Shura / Shura Council
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral Law 1 January 2002
Mode of designation directly elected 40
Constituencies 40 single-member constituencies
Voting system Majority: Two-round system.
Run off elections are held if no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first round. An absolute majority is not required in the second round.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: at least 20 years old on election day
- citizenship of Bahrain
- residence in the country at the time of the election
- citizens overseas can vote without restriction
Disqualifications: persons convicted of a criminal or election-related offence, or an offence involving honesty or moral turpitude and who have not completed their sentences (excluding persons for whom execution of the sentence is suspended)
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - age: at least 30 years old on election day
- citizenship of Bahrain
- full civil and political rights
- ability to read and write Arabic
Ineligibilities:
- persons convicted for a capital crime
- persons sentenced to imprisonment of over six months or a more severe form of punishment. This disqualification is valid for ten years starting from the next day of the penalty execution or forfeiture of the penalty or the date when the sentence becomes final.
Incompatibilities - government ministers
- holders of judicial office (judges)
- prosecutors
Candidacy requirements - Candidates' names must be on the list of nominees for the constituency in which they are running.
- Persons nominating themselves for election to Parliament must apply in writing on a special form to the supervisory committee for verification of polls and elections.
- The application must be accompanied by a non refundable deposit of 200 Bahraini dinars.

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