Bahrain is a small island nation wedged between Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf; it is also connected to Saudi Arabia via a major causeway. In the early 1800s it became a British protectorate before declaring independence in 1971, Bahrain got a brief taste of democracy in a 1973 parliamentary election, but the then Emir later dissolved the parliament over a dispute of it not passing legislation wanted by the Emir, Bahrain did not see any more democracy for the rest of his rule and for several more years thereafter. It wasn’t until 2002 that the Emir successor, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, changed Bahrain from an Emirate to a Kingdom and then reinstated parliamentary democracy, including giving woman the right to vote, which they did not have in the 1973 election.
Note: Featured photo from Google Maps.
The nation was widely affected by the Arab Spring, where which an uprising gripped the country, attempting to overthrow its rulers, Saudi Arabia provided major military assistance to Bahrain to put down this uprising. The regime has been accused of serious human rights abuses on political opponents, anti-government/monarchy protesters and on the Shia Muslim population, due to Monarchy and government being Sunni dominated. The King has also been accused of breaking the constitution on a number of occasions.
The country’s capital city, Manama, is located on the North-East of the island and is a major commercial hub. The country’s population is coming up to 1.500 million as of 2017. The country’s currency is the Bahraini dinar, and the largest religion is Shia Islam.
Government Type
Bahrain’s government system is that of a Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy with the King being Head of State and retaining a large amount of political power, executive powers and influence in the country. There is also an appointed Prime Minister who is Head of Government.
There is a bi-cameral parliamentary system, which is semi-democratic.
Monarchy
Bahrain has been ruled by a monarchical system ever since its founding, with it first having a Hakim and then it became an emirate, which is ruled by an Emir, but in 2002 it was transformed into a Kingdom and Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy and the Monarchical ruler is known as the King of Bahrain.
The Al Khalifa dynasty has ruled Bahrain since 1783. The current King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has ruled as King since 2002 when the country became a Parliamentary Monarchy.
The Monarch has a wide range of powers that he can use that include appointing the Prime Minister after election, appointing the Prime Minister’s cabinet, appointing all upper-house parliamentary seats and dissolving the lower house of parliament for elections. The King can also appoint various other government positions and jobs as well as dismiss them, including ministers. The advice of the Prime Minister on his Cabinet and government positions is considered by the King. The King is also the Supreme Commander of the country’s Defence Forces and he chairs the Higher Judicial Council which gives him advice on appointing judges to judicial positions.
The ability of the King to appoint all seats of the upper-house is also described as unfair as it makes that house completely loyalist to the King and allows him great control over legislative decision as the upper house can indefinably block legislation from the lower house.
The King also signs bills into law that have been passed by parliament, although he can return with a bill to parliament to reconsider it, and if it passes again with a two-third vote it then must be signed into law. The King can also amend the constitution and propose laws to the parliament.
The country’s constitution prevents the King from declaring war and is why the country only has a Defense Force, declaration of a defensive war decree must have consent from parliament. The King can decree a state of national safety or martial law, martial law can last for a max of 3 months, re-newing it further requires consent from parliament.
The Monarchy is hereditary and the ruling Monarch serves until death unless they choose to abdicate. Under a hereditary monarchy the title of King will go to the eldest son of the current King unless the King decides to specifically appoint another successor.
Executive Government
The Executive Government is headed by a Prime Minister who is appointed by the King. On advice from the Prime Minister, the King appoints the Prime Minister’s Cabinet that decides on government policy and its implementation and also appoints the governments ministers and other jobs such as civil servants. The Cabinet also implements foreign policy.
The executive government can also propose legislative bills to parliament, which would take priority other usual parliamentary business.
To be a minister or Prime Minister, the person must have Bahraini citizenship and possess all political and civil rights and also be at least 30 years-old.
Legislative Government
The legislative government is a bi-cameral parliament. They are The Consultative Council, which is the upper house and The Chamber of Deputies, the lower house.
For the Consultative Council, all 40-members are appointed by Royal Order of the King. Appointed members must have Bahraini citizenship, have full political and civil rights, be on the electoral list, be at least 35 years-old and must have experience or have rendered distinguished services to the nation. Members can be re-appointed an unlimited amount of times by the King. The King also appoints the President of the Council and the house will then elect two council Vice-Presidents.
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house elected by the people in Parliamentary elections. To stand as a candidate, a person must have Bahraini citizenship, be at least 30 years-old, be on the electoral register, read and write Arabic fluently, and must not have been abrogated by the chamber previously for wrong-doing, abrogation though can be appealed. The Chamber elects three of its own, one as President of the Chamber, and two Vice-Presidents.
The Chamber of Deputies debate on and pass legislative bills to the upper house, committees exist to create legislative bills, scrutinize them and to introduce amendments. The Chamber can also have a confidence vote on government ministers, either by the minister calling one on themselves or by at least 10 Deputies signing an application for it.
The Chamber of Deputies is unable to have a confidence vote on the Prime Minister, but if at least two-thirds of Deputies lack confidence in the Prime Minister a National Assembly may be called where both the lower and upper house join together for an extraordinary session, it is called by either house voting for one or by the King’s decree. If two-thirds of the National Assembly vote they do not have confidence in the Prime Minister, then the matter is referred to the King where he will either decide to dismiss the government and appoint a new one or dissolve the Chamber of Deputies for fresh elections.
For legislative bills to have a chance at becoming law, they must be passed by both houses, or by the National Assembly given certain circumstances. Both houses can also amend legislative bills. If the upper house amends a bill or rejects it, it is sent back to the lower house. If a bill is unable to be passed through both houses twice, a National Assembly is called to vote on the legislation, if it does not pass, the bill cannot be presented again in the same convening period.
The Electoral Process
Elections in Bahrain are often described as unfair and not fully democratic, with constituency boundaries purposely drawn in an attempt to limit the representation of political opponents and the influence of Shia Muslim voters as well as other groups that the Monarchy and establishment looks down upon.
Parliamentary elections are held every 4-years unless a snap poll is called and it elects the 40 members of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house) who are elected from single-seat constituencies using a two-round system, in this system to win the first round outright requires a candidate to get at least 50% of the vote, if that does not happen then the two highest voted candidates will go on to a 2nd round, which is won by simple majority.
The largest party from these elections will have a Prime Minister appointed from it by the King to form a government.
All 40 members of the Upper House, The Consultative Council, are appointed by the King for 4-year terms.
To vote in Bahrain you have to have Bahraini citizenship and be at least 20 years old. Citizens can have their right to vote revoked if they get a criminal or election-related offense or an offense involving honesty and moral turpitude.
Thank you for reading, next up will be Bangladesh!
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