1st Muharraq

In 2018, MP Ali Bufarsan suffered a massive first-round defeat; with young candidate Hamad al-Kooheji winning 3104 votes, and cleric Mohammed al-Hussaini lagging behind with 2001 votes. Kooheji went on to win the parliamentary seat in round two.

Areas covered: Busaiteen

Number of candidates: 12

Voter demographic

Busaiteen is a proud and traditional Sunni locality on the northwest coast of Muharraq. Islamist parties have traditionally done well in this constituency. Voters will be looking for candidates who can vocally advocate their interests at a national level and support livelihoods, like the fishing industry.

This is invariably a strongly competitive constituency, often with a substantial number of high-calibre candidates; often a mixture of popular Islamist figures, local luminaries and younger activists.

Pundits have noted the decline in support of Bahraini voters for established political groupings. In the past this constituency has been a fierce battleground for leading Sunni societies like al-Minbar and al-Asalah, although candidates in 2018 are formally standing as independents. One 2014 newspaper survey of local constituents discovered considerable frustration with the perceived performance of previous MPs, saying that there was a desire for candidates who could demonstrate that they sought “the public interest, not personal interests”. 

2022 candidates

Osama al-Sayed Ismael Mahmoud al-Alawi

Khaled Yousef Ali Sulaibeekh

Mohammed Rafiq Qari Mohammed Saeed al-Husseini

Mohammed Abdullah Ibrahim Jassim al-Mutawa

Hamad Ahmed Mohammed Saleh al-Kooheji

Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Salim Ahmed al-Tamimi

Sabah Khamis Rashid al-Dhawadi

Ghazi Abdulaziz Yousef Jaafar al-Murbati

Khawla Mohammed ali Abdullah Hussein al-Busmait

Abdulaziz Isa Abdullah al-Mannai

Jassim Mohammed Hassan al-Hammadi

Jamal Hassan Rashid Hassan al-Jowder

Other information

Housing blocks: 225, 226, 228, 229

2014 registered voters: 8,071 (2014); 2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 85.4%

2018 second round results: Hamad al-Kooheji (4171) vs. Mohammed al-Hussaini (cleric – 3573). 

2018 first round result: Hamad al-Kooheji (3104) vs. Mohammed al-Hussaini (2001). Vote tally for other candidates: Mohmmed al-Mutawa – 1297; Ali Bufarsan 261; Isa al-Hassan – 128

1st Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Saadi Mohammed (Minbar) – 1986 (29.8%); Ali Bufursan – 1567 (23.6%); Mohammed al-Hussaini – 1451 (21.8%); Ahmed al-Obaidli – 416 (6.3%); Ahmed Ashir – 397; Yahya al-Majdami – 345; Mohammed al-Qalalif – 226; Ahmed Aqqab – 153; Thani Rashidan – 115.  2014 second round vote: Ali Bufarsan – 3182 (54.2%); Saadi Mohammed (Minbar) – 2691 (45.8%)

2nd Muharraq

In 2018, Ibrahim al-Hammadi lost further ground to new candidate Ibrahim al-Nafeei in round two.

Areas covered: Muharraq central

Number of candidates: 5

Voter demographic

This constituency lies in the densely-populated central town of Muharraq and in geographical size is one of the smallest constituencies in Bahrain. This area has tended to favour Sunni Islamist candidates. Media surveys of voters have found voter priorities in this constituency to include housing, living standards, education and improving public infrastructure. 

2022 candidates

Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim Busandal

Hamad Farouq Hassan Ahmed al-Doy

Mohammed Ahmed Yousef Ahmed Jassim al-Jowder

Ibrahim Khaled Ibrahim al-Nafeei

Mohammed al-Sheikh Omar Abdulwahab Abdulrahim al-Qadhi

Other information

Housing blocks: 203, 205, 206, 209, 221, 222

2014 registered voters: 7,563   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 79.5%

2018 second round results: Ibrahim al-Nafeei (2932) vs. Ibrahim al-Hammadi (incumbent MP – 2571) 

2018 first round result: Ibrahim al-Nafeei (1138) vs. Ibrahim al-Hammadi (1043). Vote tally for other candidates:  Mohammed Naji – 821; Mohammed Al Sinan – 465; Huda al-Mahmoud – 280; Bashar Jassim Fakhro – 241; Laila al-Mahmeed – 147; Abdulrahman al-Ziman, Saleh al-Naimi

2nd Muharraq 2014 second round vote: Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 2761 (51.4%); Abdulmunim al-Eid – 2610 (48.6%). 2014 first round votes: Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 1761 (30.3%); Abdulmunim al-Eid – 1550 (26.6%); Wahid al-Dossary – 1251 (21.5%); Salim Rajab (NUG) – 524 (9.0%); Mohammed al-Buainain – 357; Abdulrahman Bin-Zaiman – 195; Ahmed al-Jowder – 127; Khalid Bu-Jiri – 54

3rd Muharraq

After a 2018 first-round contest of relatively untested faces, Mohammed al-Abbasi defeated Mohammed al-Olaiwi in round two. MP Mohammed al-Abassi is not running for the 2022 elections.

Areas covered: Muharraq central, Qalali

Number of candidates: 6

Voter demographic

This is a staunchly loyalist area sprawling across the heart of Muharraq island. The district expanded as part of the 2014 boundary changes to take in two blocs from the 1st Muharraq constituency and parts of Qalali.

2022 candidates

Ishaq Mohammed Ahmed al-Kooheji

Ahmed Khalil Ibrahim Isa Ali Buhiji

Mohammed Jassim Rashid al-Alawi

Abdulkarim Ibrahim Abdulkarim Mohammed al-Ammadi

Nawaf Isa Ibrahim Yaqoub al-Mahmeed

Lubna Mohammed Hassan al-Hassan

Other information

Housing blocks: 202, 204, 208, 210, 223, 224, 227

2014 registered voters: 7,563   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 77.6%

2018 second round results: Mohammed al-Abbasi (3096) vs. Mohammed Jassim al-Olaiwi (2184)

2018 first round result: Mohammed al-Abbasi (1686) vs. Mohammed Jassim al-Olaiwi (1240). Vote tally for other candidates: Najm Al Sinan – 774; Ahmed al-Kuwaiti 245; Lubna al-Hassan – 241; Isa Musaifar – 231

3rd Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Jamal Buhassan – 1219 (21.6%); Ahmed Al Binali (Wasat) – 1061 (18.8%); Mohammed al-Mutawwa – 1032 (18.3%); Adel Bu-Anq – 693 (12.3%); Mohammed Murad – 631 (11.2%); Abdulnasir al-Mahmeed (Asalah) – 555 (9.8%); Yusuf al-Awadhi – 176; Abdulrahman Fakhro – 170; Mohammed Ahmedi – 61; Abdallah Saad – 52. 2014 second round vote: Jamal Buhassan – 2568 (52.3%); Ahmed Al Binali (Wasat) – 2341 (47.7%)

4th Muharraq

Incumbent MP Isa al-Kooheji easily won the contest outright in the 2018 first round against a couple of lesser-known candidates. MP Isa-al-Kooheji is not running for the 2022 elections. 

Areas covered: Muharraq central

Number of candidates: 5

Voter demographic

These urban areas of Muharraq island would be expected to favour an independent loyalist candidate. However a dense patchwork of local communities have to be taken into account; Hawala, Bahrani, Ajam and tribal Arab. 

This is one of the oldest areas of Muharraq island and so contains historically important sites. There are many critical social issues needing addressing including poverty, unemployment and poor quality of some older housing. Commentators in the past have noted the difficulty of predicting this contest because of the lack of a clear “political ideology” among this diverse community. Liberals, progressives, Salafists, and Muslim Brotherhood supporters can all be found here.

2022 candidates

Hisham Abdulaziz Mohammed Yousef Hussein al-Awadhi

Amin Abdalqadir Abdulrahman Mohammed Amin

Ali Hassan Jassim Abdullah Jassim

Abubakar Habib Mohammed Yousef

Nada Abdullah Ahmed Yousef al-Mansouri

Other information

Housing blocks: 207, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217

2014 registered voters: 7,904   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 78.7%

2018 winner Isa al-Kooheji (incumbent MP – 2677). Vote tally for other candidates: Hisham al-Awadhi – 1732; Mohammed Khayami – 252 

4th Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Isa al-Kooheji (MP) – 3022 (50.8%); Rima Halal – 887 (14.9%); Abdullah al-Aynati (NUG) – 675 (11.4%); Hamad al-Mearaj – 590 (9.9%); Majid al-Atawi – 196; Mohammed al-Murbati – 422; Mohammed Khayami – 154. 2014 contest decided by outright win in the first round of voting.

5th Muharraq

After losing his seat in 2014 to Mohammed al-Jowder, Mahmood al-Mahmood came top in the 2018 first round. However, municipal councillor Khalid Bu-Anq came from behind to clinch victory in round two.

Areas covered: Northeast Muharraq; Amwaj Islands; Qalali

Number of candidates: 14

Voter demographic

Lying to the northeast corner of Muharraq, this large constituency has the smallest number of registered voters in the Governorate, although it is one of five Muharraq constituencies with between 7,000 and 8,000 voters.  Much of this constituency is built on recently reclaimed land, including Amwaj islands. As a result, the population is predominantly middle class and cosmopolitan. However, some of the southern parts of this constituency include working class areas of Qalali.

An Al-Watan newspaper 2014 survey for 5th Muharraq found widespread frustration amongst younger people in this area over poor housing provision and a perceived lack of action on the issues that matter by previous parliaments. There were also concerns about lack of suitable jobs for young graduates and lack of activities for younger people, while others noted the necessity of doing more for “marginalized” and disadvantaged constituents, like widows, unemployed, the elderly and those with special needs.

2022 candidates

Saad Mahboub Sultan al-Damoukh al-Dossary

Donya Abdulkarim Hussein Mirza Fakhrawi

Areej Abdullateef Mohammed Shareef

Yousef Mohammed Jassim Bahar

Jamal Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah al-Mutawa

Ali Yaqoub Yousef Mohammed al-Muqla

Noura Rashid Hassan al-Khatir

Ahmed Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Buhazza

Hanadi Issa Abdullah al-Jowder

Abeer Ahmed Yousef Ahmed al-Jowder

Khaled Saleh Ahmed Bu-Anq

Abdullah Yousef Abdullah Mohammed Hilal al-Sehli

Hussein Ali Hussein Jassim Mansour al-Nayim

Ahmed Najib Ahmed Essa Mohammed

Other information

Housing blocks: 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 263, 264, 265, 266, 269

2014 registered voters: 7,199   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 87.6%

2018 second round results: Mahmood al-Mahmood (former MP – 3348) vs. Khalid Bu-Anq (municipal councilor – 4917)

2018 first round result: Mahmoud al-Mahmoud (1576) vs. Khalid Bu-Anq (1503). Vote tally for other candidates: Noura al-Khatir – 713; Ibrahim Bujiri – 672; Saad al-Mahboub – 635; Hanadi al-Jowder – 501; Mohammed al-Faraj – 389; Mohammed al-Jowder – 347; Ahmed Abdulmalik – 246; Ahmed al-Abbasi – 176; Nawaf Faraj – 56 

5th Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Mohammed al-Jowder – 1252 (20.5%); Khalid Bu-Anq – 1245 (20.3%); Mahmoud al-Mahmoud (MP) – 1020 (16.7%); Muhammed al-Dakhil – 653 (10.7%); Mohammed al-Faraj – 583 (9.5%); Abdulaziz al-Majid – 504; Jamal Saad – 402; Sami al-Shaer (NUG) – 309; Ahmed al-Mannai – 90; Ibrahim Ali – 62. 2014 second round vote: Mohammed al-Jowder – 3358 (61.2%); Khalid Bu-Anq – 2129 (38.8%)

6th Muharraq

In 2018, relatively unknown candidate, Hesham al-Asheeri, won outright the seat which for many years was held by Abbas al-Madhi.

Areas covered: Dair & Samaheej

Number of candidates: 3

Voter demographic

Prior to 2011 this district had been held by Al-Wefaq, before being won by an independent candidate Abbas al-Madhi in the by-election that year. The significant opposition population which may in part decide to boycott makes the direction of the vote difficult to predict. However, several figures from the local Shia community have spoken out against the boycott.

2022 candidates

Muna Jassim Abdullah Ahmed al-Haiki

Hisham Ahmed Yousef Ahmed al-Asheeri

Asrar Abdulmajeed Ali Abdulhussein al-Asheeri

Other information

Housing blocks: 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237

2014 registered voters: 7,762   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 11.1%

2018 winner Hisham al-Asheeri (1011). Vote tally for other candidates: Taghreed Alawi – 381; Azhar Ali 129; Anas Khalid Ateeq – 114; Hassan al-Samaheeji – 105

6th Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Abbas al-Madhi (MP) – 273 (38.8%); Nabil al-Ashiri – 270 (38.4%); Hassan al-Samaheeji – 82 (11.7%); Abbas al-Faraj – 78 (11.6%). 2014 second round vote: Abbas al-Madhi (MP) – 308 (52.9%); Nabil al-Ashiri – 274 (47.1%)

7th Muharraq

In 2018, Asalah MP Ali al-Muqla was convincingly defeated in a high-turnout vote, with Ammar, the son of former MP Sami Qambar, winning a massive 7317 votes in round two. This constituency has the highest number of candidates. MP Sami Qambar is not running for the 2022 elections. 

Areas covered: Arad

Number of candidates: 18

Voter demographic

This relatively small constituency in terms of land area has the highest number of registered voters out of all the constituencies in Bahrain, at 13,204. Arad has a predominantly Sunni working class demographic. Commentators in previous elections were divided on whether the contest would be dominated by the political groupings or whether independent and technocratic figures would be more appealing to the voters. Ultimately the second round in 2018 ended up being dominated by candidates from Sunni Islamist societies, Asalah and Minbar; which Ali al-Muqla from Asalah won.

2022 candidates

Adel Malallah Abdullah Mohammed al-Khaldi

Rashid Khalifa Rashid Ahmed al-Binzayid

Hanan Saif Yousef Ahmed Arabi

Abdullah Isa Shahin Rashid al-Noaimi

Saleh Mohammed Abdullah al-Ashar

Hassan Mohammed Amin Abdulqadir Hassan al-Bastaki

Khadeeja Ali Abdullah Hassan al-Hamadi

Shaheen Abdullah Shaheen Ahmed al-Junaid

Ahmed Adel Ahmed Qassim al-Jowder

Abdullah Hassan Abdullah Rashed al-Dhaen

Isa Ahmed Abdulrahman al-Moosa

Khaled Jassim Mohammed Bu Mutaei

Waleed Isa Mohammed Isa al-Mannai

Mohammed Adnan Abdulrahman Abdulkarim Saleh al-Sada

Abdullah Khaled Abdullah al-Bastaki

Othman Mohammed Sharif al-Rayes

Bader Sultan Ali Hassan al-Hamadi

Mohammed Youssef Abdullah Gheilan

Other information

Housing blocks: 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248

2014 registered voters: 13,204   2014 1st round voter turnout: 74.2%

2018 second round results: Ammar Qambar (7317) vs. Yousif Abdulghaffar (academic – 2944)

2018 first round results: Ammar Qambar (2528) vs. Yousif Abdulghuffar (2014). Vote tally for other candidates: Ali al-Muqla – 950; Sabah al-Dossary – 789; Abdullah al-Bastaki – 752; Rashid al-Binzayed – 246; Salimah al-Aradi – 195; Rashid al-Jalal – 153; Ali al-Ansari, Najib Isa – 113; Hassan Ismail 

7th Muharraq 2014 first round vote: Ali al-Muqla (Asalah) 1599 (17.1%); Nasir al-Fadhalah (Minbar) 1525 (16.3%); Mohammed al-Sulaiti – 1493 (16.0%); Badr al-Hammadi (Watan) – 1474 (15.8%); Abdulrahman al-Khashram – 1114 (11.9%); Khalid Ibrahim – 912 (9.8%); Mohammed Wazzan – 528; Mohammed Halal – 363; Adel al-Mannai – 331. Second round vote: Ali al-Muqla (Asalah) – 4057 (50.6%); Nasir al-Fadhalah (Minbar) – 3968 (49.5%)

8th Muharraq

Municipal councillor Yousif al-Dhawadi in 2018 easily defeated MP Abdulrahman Bu-Ali in 8th Muharraq; with former MP Samir Khadim beaten into third place. MP Yousif Al Dhawadi is not running for the 2022 elections. 

Areas covered: Southern Muharraq; Hidd

Number of candidates: 9

Voter demographic

Hidd contains a large industrial area, substantial port and customs facilities, as well as boat-building and repair industries. There is a mixed working-class population and many new residential areas. There is also a north-south divide in this locality, which commentators have noted as a strong factor in who voters get behind.

2022 candidates

Ahmed Salman Jabr al-Musalam

Ammar Mahmoud al-Sheikh Abdullatif Al Mahmood

Riyadh Saleh Ibrahim Ali Saleh al-Ansari

Mohammed Isa Ahmed Ali al-Ammadi

Raed Khalil Ibrahim Ali al-Ahmed

Muhra Mohammed Abdullah Gharib

Samir Abdullah Abdulrahman Ahmed al-Khadim

Noor Adnan Abdullah al-Sheikh Hazim al-Shamsi

Abdulrahman Ali Abdulrahman Bu-Ali

Other information

Housing blocks: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 128

2014 registered voters: 9,065   2014 percentage 1st round voter turnout: 85.9%

2018 second round results: Yousif al-Dhawadi (municipal councilor – 5246) vs. Abdulrahman Bu-Ali (incumbent MP – 3731)

2018 first round result: Yousif al-Dhawadi (1976) vs. Abdulrahman Bu-Ali (1465). Vote tally for other candidates: Samir Khadim – 1361; Raid al-Ahmed – 491; Mubarak al-Mukhaimar – 178; Abdullah Bu-Ghammar – 101; Talal Mohammed – 24;

8th Muharraq 2014 first round votes: Abdulrahman Bu-Ali – 4197 (55.7%); Samir Khadim (MP) – 3020 (40.1%); Abdullah Bughamar (Al-Saff) – 323 (4.3%). 2014 contest decided by outright win in the first round of voting.

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