Electoral Consultancy Centre launched

Manama, June 30 (BNA): As part of the ongoing preparations to groom the candidates for the upcoming elections and boost political participation of Bahraini women, Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) has announced, in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the inauguration of the “Electoral Consultancy Centre” to provide legal, political, media, financial, administrative and motivational consultation for female candidates in 2018 elections. Marking the occasion, Information Minister and BIPD Board of Trustees Chairman Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi stressed Bahrain’s ongoing democratic achievements since the launch of the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa by enriching the parliamentary and legislative march. He described the royal reform project as a roadmap for the future to boost democracy with the participation of all citizens without exception. He pointed out the influential role of Bahraini women in political life through their active participation in national work and decision-making. He noted that BIPD has accorded since its inception a growing importance to political participation of Bahraini women. Therefore, he added, the institute has launched many programmes for this purpose to raise political awareness of Bahraini women, enhance their capabilities and enable them to exercise their political rights stipulated by the constitution. Al Romaihi affirmed that the inauguration of the “Electoral Consultancy Centre” aims to prepare the female candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections. He expressed hope the centre would contribute to supporting the candidates by providing the needed consultation through the help of an elite of experts and specialists. For her part, SCW Secretary General Hala Al Ansari described the centre as a specialised programme launched by SCW in partnership with BIPD to provide electoral consultation to Bahraini women and enhance their political participation in the electoral process. She said the aim is to groom the female candidates for the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections and boost their capabilities and role in the electoral contest. She expressed hope the centre would contribute to enriching and developing the consultation programmes as well as technical support of SCW and BIPD for the candidates. Those wishing to benefit from the centre’s services can book their appointments on the centre’s hotline 38444090.