1st Capital

In 2018, longstanding MP Adel al-Asoumi once again easily wiped the competition off the field with a dominant result. MP Adel Al Asoumi’s name was removed from the candidates list, hence he as appealed his case to the court and final decision regarding his candidacy is yet to be made.

Areas covered: Manama northeast coast, Diplomatic Area, Houra, Qudaibiya

Number of candidates: 2

Voter demographic

1st Capital is one of the most predominantly loyalist areas within the Capital Governorate and so the result will be closely followed. For the many regional visitors to Bahrain, this is the Manama they know, with its hotels, leisure facilities, the Corniche and plentiful shopping and restaurant opportunities.

In terms of land area this is one of the larger Capital constituencies, although it has relatively low population density with only 6,317 registered voters, a substantial proportion of these clustered in the more traditional areas of Hoora and Qudaibiya. 

One reason for the low population density is that the area encompasses many government and commercial offices, particularly in the Diplomatic Area and Financial Harbour. The population is set to grow in the coming years as much of the coastal land has been recently reclaimed and there are several huge residential projects underway.

2022 candidates

Murad Ali Abdulrahman Murad

Mohammed Hussain Abdullah Hussein Janahi

Other information

Housing blocks: 307, 308, 309, 310, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 344, 346

2014 registered voters: 6,317       2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 72.0%

2018 winner Adel al-Asoomi (incumbent MP – 2613 votes) Vote tally for other candidates: Khalid Sulaibeekh – 654; Murad Ali – 62

2014 second round vote: Adel al-Asoumi (MP) – 2265 (54.5%), Khalid Sulaibeekh – 1891 (45.5%)

2nd Capital

In 2018, after a slow start, psychologist Sawsan Kamal built up an impressive campaign and won convincingly in round two

Areas covered: Central Manama, Burhama, Salehiya, Suwayfiyah

Number of candidates: 11

Voter demographic

This constituency includes the traditional market centre of Manama. However, the constituency has expanded quite substantially with the recent electoral border changes and now includes the outlying areas of Al-Burhama, Salehiya and Al-Suwayfiyah. As a result, it is difficult to make predictions as to which candidates may do well here. 

According to an analysis by Al-Watan newspaper, the population of this constituency is around 80% Shia, attributing the past success of female Sunni MP Ibtisam Hijres in the 2014 elections to the overcoming of sectarian and gender divisions. 

Many urban Shia in these parts of Manama are from the Ajam community, of Iranian origin, who tend to stand apart from Al-Wefaq and the mainstream opposition. Many established Ajam families are staunchly loyalist and ignored Al-Wefaq’s election boycott, particularly with several moderate Shia candidates they could give their support to.

2022 candidates

Ibrahim Abdulrasool Abdulnabi al-Zeera

Ahmed Abdulwahid Jasim Hassan Qaratah

Alaaldiin Abdali Mohammed Hassan Al Nouh

Amal Ali Abdullah Ali Juma Budhaish

Hussein Abdallah Hassan Abdulrasoul Bin Rajab

Sawsan Mohammed Abdulrahim Kamal

Mohammed Huzza Rashid Hazza

Abdalshahid Yousef Ali al-Sammak

Suad Mohammed Mubarak Mohammed

Salman Ibrahim Mohammed al-Houti

Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah Haji Ali

Other information

Housing blocks: 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 351, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357

2014 registered voters: 8,361     2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 33.3%

2018 second round results: Sawsan Kamal (1894 votes) vs. Faisal Bin-Rajab (788). 2018 first round results: Sawsan Kamal (1188)  vs. Faisal Bin-Rajab (582). Vote tally for other candidates: Ebtisam Hijres – 285; Alaa Abdali – 234; Ali Jawad – 173; Ahmed al-Hawwaj – 88

2014 second round vote: Ahmed Qaratah (MP) – 1224 (60.3%). Hashim al-Alawi – 806 (39.7%)

3rd Capital

In 2018, 3rd capital was the only constituency where a candidate came top in the first round with less than 500 votes, making it one of the few areas where the opposition boycott remained strong. Local businessman Mamdouh al-Saleh came through to win in the second round with just over 900 votes.

Areas covered: Sanabis, Karbabad, Seef

Number of candidates: 8

Voter demographic

This district is a strange combination of the fashionable Seef District which features several of Manama’s most popular malls; alongside localities like Sanabis and Karbabad which have been hotbeds of opposition rioting in 2011. 

The boycott does seem to have split this community with many criticizing Al-Wefaq’s boycott, which they say risks depriving locals of proper representation. The 2014 electoral campaign in this Capital constituency was notably lackluster and even in the upmarket Seef District, there is hardly a single campaign poster in evidence for any of the candidates. At least one candidate, Mohammed al-Mawali, reported multiple attacks against his property by opposition militants in 2014; a factor that perhaps further deterred potential candidates and voters in the 2014 election. However, 8 candidates have come forward this time reflecting a change in attitudes towards the elections in the constituency.  

2022 candidates

Mohammed Reza Ali Hassan Ali al-Aradi

Abdulhadi Ali Mansour Hassan Nasser

Mamdouh Abbas Ahmed al-Saleh

Ali Hassan Abdulhussein Abdalrahim

Zahra Amin Yousef Yaqoub Hassan al-Watani

Fatima Salman Dawoud Salman

Fatima Abdulredha Ibrahim Ali Hassan al-Mudaweb

Zainab Mohsen Zein al-Din Mohsen Makki al-Hayki

Other information

Housing blocks: 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 592

2014 registered voters: 10,225   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 9.8%

2018 second round results: Mahdi Sharar (830) vs. Mamdooh al-Saleh (businessman – 906). 2018 first round results: Mahdi Sharar (333) vs. Mamdouh al-Saleh (329). Vote tally for other candidates: Adel Hamid – 294; Abdulhadi Marhoun – 162; Abdulhadi al-Basri – 145; Fatima al-Mudawib – 100; Ali Samir – 79; Mohammed al-Aradi – 79; Hamad al-Qassimi – 61; Hussain Radhi – 60; Hussain Rabiya – 56; Essam Bahrani – 45; Ammar al-Mahari – 10; Mohammed al-Haiki – 9; Ahmed Faraj – 7; 

3rd Capital 2014 first round vote: Ali Shamtout (MP) – 246 (29.1%); Adel Bin-Hamid – 203 (24.0%); Abbas Siraj – 123 (14.5%); Abbas Kayid – 107 (12.7%); Ammar al-Mahari – 84 (9.9%); Hashim al-Aradi – 54; Mohammed al-Mawali – 29. 2014 second round vote: Adel Bin-Hamid – 394 (65.0%)   Ali Shamtout (MP) – 212 (35.0%)

4th Capital

Following a disappointing electoral performance in 2014, in 2018 popular journalist Ammar al-Bannai convincingly beat incumbent MP Abdulrahman Bumjaid, with Bannai winning twice as many votes in round two. Former MP Hassan Bukhamas was forced out of the race in round one.

Areas covered: Fateh, Juffair, Ghuraifa, Mina Salman, Umm Hassam, Abu-Ghazzal, Adliya

Number of candidates: 7

Voter demographic

This district includes the area around Bahrain’s central Al-Fateh Mosque, the popular coastal Juffair area and the culturally-significant locality of Adliya. However, this region contains a diverse range of localities: Middle class and working class; a broad range of political affiliations and a mix between Sunni-majority and Shia-majority areas; including Ajam Bahrainis of Iranian origin, who are often loyalist in orientation.

2022 candidates

Baria Faraj Salim Khamis

Abdullah Juma Fairuz Salim

Jamal Mubarak Mohammed Abdalkarim al-Atiyyah

Hamad Hassan Surour Mubarak Allaq al-Noaimi

Hassan Eid Rashid Bukhamas

Noura Abduljabbar Qassim Khanji

Ammar Ahmed Ghulam al-Bannai

Other information

Housing blocks: 324, 325, 326, 327, 333, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 373

2014 registered voters: 7,014   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 62.3%

2018 second round results: Ammar Al Bannai (journalist – 2490) vs. Abdulrahman Bumjaid (incumbent MP – 1265). 2018 first round result: Ammar al-Bannai (1376) vs. Abdulrahman Bumjaid (992). Vote tally for other candidates: Hassan Bukhamas – 326

4th Capital 2014 first round votes: Abdulrahman Bumjaid (MP) – 1773 (42.6%); Ibrahim al-Mannai (Mithaq) – 738 (17.7%); Hassan Bukhamas (MP) – 678 (16.3%); Ammar al-Banai – 649 (15.6%); Adnan al-Nuaimi – 103; Fadhil al-Badu – 223. Second round vote:  Abdulrahman Bumjaid (MP) – 2052 (59.6%)   Ibrahim al-Mannai (Mithaq) –1394 (40.5%)

5th Capital

In 2018, vigourous young campaigner Ahmed al-Saloom from Bahrain’s Chamber of Commerce defeated incumbent MP Nasser al-Qaseer in round two by a very large margin

Areas covered: Bilad al-Qadeem, Zinj, Salmaniya, Segaya, Mahooz and Abu Asheera

Number of candidates: 8

Voter demographic

The inclusion of several opposition strongholds during the 2014 boundary redrawing made this sector an unpredictable one, although moderate, professional Shia candidates have tended to do well in these areas. 

2022 candidates

Khaled Saleh Qassim Abdulrasool

Mahdi Saleh Hussein al-Madhoob

Anwar Mohammed Nour Mohammed Abdulghafour

Abdulamir Hassan Ali Hussein

Mohammed Ali Mohammed Ali al-Jabari

Abdullah Jaafar Ahmed Hassan al-Aali

Ali Khalil Ali Ibrahim Hassan Naeem al-Hayki

Ahmed Sabah Salman al-Saloom

Other information

Housing blocks: 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 334, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364

2014 registered voters: 7,782   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 32.3%

2018 second round results: Ahmed al-Saloom (Chamber of Commerce member – 1891) vs. Nasser al-Qaseer (incumbent MP – 843). 2018 first round results: Ahmed al-Saloom (1126) vs. Nasser al-Qaseer (766). Vote tally for other candidates: Dunia Fakhrawi – 293; Fatima Jawad – 267; Abdulamir Hassan – 78; Rashid Izzuddin – 72 Hani Mohammed – 20; Mohammed Qahiri

5th Capital 2014 first round vote: Nasser al-Qaseer – 821 (36.0%); Wafa Ajoor – 523 (22.9%); Adel Al Safar – 368 (16.1%); Mamoud al-Hamar – 143 (6.3%); Hussain Bukhamas – 118; Kadhim al-Uwaynati – 117; Ibrahim al-Awadhi – 96; Basimah Saleh – 64; Rashad Umar -32. Second round vote: Nasser al-Qaseer – 1047 (55.6%)   Wafa Ajoor – 836 (44.4%)

6th Capital

In 2018, psychologist Dr. Masooma Abdulrahim was just a handful of votes behind MP Ali al-Atish after round one; but went on to win convincingly in round two.

Areas covered: Khamis, Musalla, Tashan, Abu Baham, Adhari, North Sehla, South Sehla

Number of candidates: 13

Voter demographic

Several areas of this district were incorporated from parts of the Northern Governorate, producing an area where opposition support is prevalent. So it will be interesting to see what proportion of people boycott and how the candidates fare.

In violence after the Shia Ashura processions prior to the 2014 elections, there was an outbreak of vandalism in the area, including the destruction of at least one billboard for Abdullah al-Kooheji. Unsurprisingly, most other local candidates were reluctant to publicly display any promotional material advertising themselves in 2014. However, things have possibly changed since the 2018 elections, considering the victory of a female candidate and the number of candidates that have come forward in the 2022 elections.

2022 candidates

Al-Sayed Mahmoud Mohammed Redha al-Tooblani

Ali Abdulhussein Ali Mohammed al-Bana

Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim Mohammed Al Sahwan

Kamal Mirza Abdulhussein Jaffar

Fadhel Ali Abdullah al-Sanadi

Mahmoud al-Sayed Jaafar Alawi Jawad

Nadiya Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed

Adel Bilal Ibrahim Abdullah al-Bilal

Sadeq Ahmed Ghulam Abdullah

Mahmoud Mirza Jaffar Ali Fardan

Al-Sayed Mohammed Mousa Mahdi Kadhem Salman

Masooma Hassan Abdulhussein Abdulrahim

Salman Adel Salman Ali Salman Awaji

Other information

Housing blocks: 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 405, 407, 411, 413, 419, 421, 423, 425, 701, 705, 707, 711, 713

2014 registered voters: 10,946   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 26.2%

2018 second round results: Ali al-Atish (Rabitah society, incumbent MP – 1806) vs. Dr. Masooma Abdulrahim (psychologist – 2137). 2018 first round result: Ali al-Atish (903) vs. Dr. Masooma Abdulrahim (892). Vote tally for other candidates: Sayed Mohammed Shubar – 424; Kamil Mirza – 375; Nadia al-Milah – 347; Fadhil Ashour – 214; Abdeen Darweesh – 156; Abdullah Ahmed – 145; Ishan al-Faraj 99; Ali Kamali – 43

6th Capital 2014 first round vote: Ali Hassan Ahmed Ali al-Atish (MP, Rabitah) – 1039 (41.8%); Abdullah al-Kooheji – 835 (33.6%); Masooma Abdulrahim – 438 (17.6%); Ihsan al-Faraj – 63; Abdulnabi Mahdi – 112. Second round vote: Ali al-Atish (MP, Rabitah) – 1280 (69.3%)   Abdullah al-Kooheji – 567 (30.7%)

7th Capital

In 2018, Afaf al-Mousawi ultimately failed to catch up with experienced campaigner Zainab Abdulamir in round two. This constituency has the highest turnover of MPs, while 6 different MPs represented the constituency since 2002. It also has the highest number of females candidates, as 8 women are running in the 2022 elections.

Areas covered: Jidali, Jurdab

Number of candidates: 16

Voter demographic

This district is a remaining fragment of the 1st district of the defunct Capital Governorate. The district lies to the south of Manama along the stretch of coast facing the island of Sitra and has a diverse population, making voting predictions difficult. 

For example, parts of the locality hails from the Ajam community of Iranian origins, although some Ajam have opposition sympathies, the established families, with close ties to the royal family, are staunchly loyalist. So a respectable turnout can be expected.

This area has tended to have one of the highest turn-outs for elections in the Capital area. The lack of any pervading political ideology and a diverse community have tended to favour a broad range of independent candidates and historically has resulted in some of the most interesting – and surprising – electoral contests.

 2022 candidates

Majid Yousef al-Sheikh Mohammed Al Mubarak

Basil Habib Mansour al-Arrayedh

Zainab Abdulamir Khalil Ibrahim

Riyadh Abdulkarim Ahmed Kuwaitan

Hana Mohammed Abdulkarim Abdullah Ahmed

Saeed Abbas Essa Ahmed

Salman Essa Salman Ali Redha

Naseemm Mohammed Ali Abdullatif Ali

Jaffar Ali Hassan Mahfoudh

Rabab Abdullah Nasrullah Shamsan

Amal Mohammed Habbib Haji Abdullah

Samana Abdulhassan Ghulam Haydar Haidari

Ibtihaj Abdullah Khalifa al-Asboul

Ali Hassan Mohammed Taheri

Sajedah Jassim Abdullah Sawar

Majdi Jassim Ahmed al-Nasheet

Other information

Housing blocks: 709, 721, 729, 733, 816

2014 registered voters: 10,695    2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 46.1%

2018 second round results: Zainab Abdulamir (journalist – 3092) vs. Afaf al-Mousawi (1644)

2018 first round results: Zainab Abdulamir (2360) vs. Afaf al-Mousawi (808). Vote tally for other candidates: Abdulaziz Murad – 711; Talal al-Qannas – 515; Fuad al-Ruwaie – 202; Riyadh Kuwaitan – 175

7th Capital 2014 first round votes: Osamah al-Khajah – 1458 (32.9%); Zainab Abdulamir – 1092 (24.6%); Khalid al-Quwwati – 656 (14.8%); Ridha Shukrallah – 615 (13.9%); Abdullah al-Dirazi – 610 (13.8%). 2014 second round vote: Osamah al-Khajah – 2094 (60.4%)   Zainab Abdulamir – 1373 (39.6%)

8th Capital

In 2018, a relatively unknown candidate, Fadhil Abbas, has made it into Parliament via a second-round win. MP Majeed al-Asfour lost his seat.

Areas covered: Nabih Saleh, Sitra, Industrial Area, Marqoban, Mahaza

Number of candidates: 9

Voter demographic

This constituency, centred around Sitra, in 2014 represented one of the strongest areas of support for the opposition’s vote boycott. Hence, repeated attacks were reported against candidates and their property. In 2018 the boycott took a less organized and visible form, nevertheless, levels of voting have been low; particularly after no vote was held here in 2014 because on elections day only one candidate remained in the race.

 2022 candidates

Jaleela Alawi al-Sayed Hassan Ali

Nasser Mohammed Ali Abdulkarim Nasser Essa

Hussein Ali Abdullah Ahmed Ibrahim Idraboh

Zahra Abdulhafedh Janoub Rabeei

Aqeel Salman Abdulhassan Ahmed Saleel

Sameer Abdullah Ali Jassim

Fadhel Abbas Ali Essa al-Sawwad

Jaffar Abdullah Abbas Hussein

Faisal Makki Ibrahim Ismael al-Mulla

Other information

Housing blocks: 380, 381, 382, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606

2014 registered voters: 9,372

2018 second round results: Fadhel Abbas (1085) vs. Sayyid Mohammed Ashoor (639). 2018 first round results: Fadhil Abbas (647) vs. Mohammed Ashour (247). Vote tally for other candidates: Dr. Majeed al-Asfour – 256; Zahra Hanoun – 108; Dr. Mohammed al-Saddadi – 59

9th Capital

In 2018, MP Mohammed Milad only succeeded in gaining 52 votes, leaving two new and relatively unknown figures in first place; Ammar Hussain al-Mukhtar and Dr. Zahra Haram. Following a convincing second-round win, Mukhtar made it into Parliament.

Areas covered: Southern Sitra, East Eker

Number of candidates: 4

Voter demographic

This constituency is another entirely new area, made up of several former districts. Being centred around Sitra and Al-Eker, it includes opposition areas, and so may be influenced by calls for a boycott. In 2014 candidate Mohammed al-Ekri withdrew from the contest two weeks after attacks against his property. Militants attacked and burned Al-Ekri’s car business, causing large amounts of damage. Al-Ekri said he had been accused of being a “traitor” for participating in the elections. Less than 10% of voters turned out in 2014.

 2022 candidates

Mohsin Ali Abdullah Mohammed al-Asboul

Ahmed Abdali Ali Abdullah Mohammed

Ibrahim Ali Mohammed Mohsin al-Asfour

Ammar Hussein Ibrahim Abbas Al Mukhtar

Other information

Housing blocks: 607, 608, 609, 611, 623, 624, 633, 634

2014 registered voters: 9,591   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 9.6%

2018 second round results: Ammar Hussain al-Mukhtar (1769) vs. Dr. Zahra Haram (616). 2018 first round results: Ammar Hussain (799) vs. Dr. Zahra Haram (343). Vote tally for other candidates:  Ibrahim al-Asfour – 353; Ibrahim Matar – 127; Mohammed Milad – 52

9th Capital 2014 first round vote: Ibrahim al-Asfour – 302 (39.1%); Mohammed Jaffar – 266 (34.5%); Mohammed Al Shaikh – 204 (26.4%). Second round vote: Mohammed Jaffar – 500 (62.3%)   Ibrahim al-Asfour – 303 (37.7%)

10th Capital

In 2018, Progressive Tribune candidate Eman Showaiter lost to Handball Federation chairman Ali Ishaqi in the second round; with Ishaqi coming top with a 3279-vote win.

Areas covered: West Eker, Sanad and South Isa Town

Number of candidates: 13

Voter demographic

In 2014 this constituency saw 15 candidates facing off against each other, which at the time was historically the highest number of candidates for a Bahrain constituency. This constituency was a new creation resulting from the constituency boundary reforms, largely put together from the cancelled Central Governorate. 

The theory was that a mixed central region like this would favour moderate consensus candidates, hence the 2014 appearance of middle-ground societies like Al-Watan and Mithaq contesting this seat and three rival female candidates. One 2014 newspaper analysis noted the prevalence of “technocratic and liberal” candidates, while expecting a high turnout of female voters. In the event, these diverse candidates perhaps cancelled each other out, and the result was the 2014 vote being won by Salafist cleric Nabil al-Balooshi. Former MP Sumaya al-Jowder faced criticism from several sources of her parliamentary performance and she failed to make it into the second round IN 2014.

2022 candidates

Najma Ghuloum Reza Nasser Mohammed Taqi

Shamshad Farouq Mohammed Ismael Shakeeb

Ali Mohammed Essa Abdullah Ishaqi

Hani Hamza Ali Ibrahim

Mohammed Yahya Delshad Murad

Hassan Fawaz Hassan Salah al-Rowaei

Abdullah Hassan Mohammed Ahmed Eid

Nawaf Mohammed Jawad Ali al-Jashi

Ateyatallah Abdullah Hamad Abdullah Al Sinan

Eman Hassan Ibrahim Abdullah Showaiter

Mohammed Abdulkarim Jassim Naem al-Hayki

Aliyah Jassim Saqr Jassim al-Hamlan

Yousef Ahmed Yousef Mahmoud Mustafa

Other information

Housing blocks: 625, 626, 644, 743, 745, 815

2014 registered voters: 10,046   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 49.4%

2018 second round results: Ali Ishaqi (3279) vs. Eman Showaiter (Progressive Democratic Tribune – 2584)

First round result: Ali Ishaqi (2182) vs. Eman Showaiter (1327). Vote tally for other candidates: Hamad Taqi – 910; Abdullah al-Hammadi – 704; Khalid al-Eid – 147; Tariq Mihna – 68; Luay Khamis 18

10th Capital 2014 first round vote: Nabil al-Balooshi – 877 (19.1%); Ali Ishaqi – 758 (16.5%); Adel Abduljalil – 593 (12.9%), Atiyatallah Al Sinan – 533 (11.6%), Wajih Baqer (Mithaq) – 410, Khalifa Sulaibikh – 328, M. al-Markh – 164, Lulwah Mutlaq (Watan) – 267, Salman al-Saffar – 129, Sumayah al-Jowder – 77, Noura Matouq – 70, Yassir al-Khayyat – 62, Yassir Bukhuwwah – 55, Tariq al-Tamimi – 58, Abdulhamid al-Baqishi – 12. Second round vote: Nabil al-Balooshi – 2151 (56.0%)   Ali Ishaqi – 1692 (44.0%)

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