Bahrain Elects More Women in Parliament Vote 

A woman casts her vote during the elections on Sunday. (BNA)
A woman casts her vote during the elections on Sunday. (BNA)
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Bahrain Elects More Women in Parliament Vote 

A woman casts her vote during the elections on Sunday. (BNA)
A woman casts her vote during the elections on Sunday. (BNA)

Bahrain has elected a record eight women and many first-time lawmakers to its 40-seat parliament, according to results announced Sunday of this week's polls. 

The official Bahrain News Agency published the list of 34 candidates who won seats in the second round of parliamentary elections on Saturday, adding to six confirmed after a first round on November 12. 

More than 330 candidates, including a record 73 women, ran for a seat on the council of representatives -- the lower house of parliament that advises King Hamad, who has ruled since his father died in March 1999. 

Six women have served in the outgoing chamber. 

Bahrain has about 350,000 registered voters out of a population of 1.4 million. 

Turnout in the first round was 73 percent, authorities said. 

The second round of voting coincided with the Manama Dialogue conference, which has brought top diplomats from across the world to the capital from Friday until Sunday. 



UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
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UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan has expressed the UAE’s deep concern over violence in Sudan, particularly against women, children, and the elderly in Al Jazirah state, which resulted in the killing and wounding of a number of innocent civilians, state news agency WAM reported.

He underlined that the UAE is alarmed by reports of sexual violence against women and girls, the high risk of famine, and the continued suffering and displacement of thousands of civilians.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan called on the Sudanese warring parties to return to dialogue, respect their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and the mechanisms proposed by the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) related to facilitating safe, urgent, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. His also underscored the necessity for all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The Minister emphasised the importance of protecting civilians according to international humanitarian law, and the need to ensure that they are not targeted during conflict.

In this regard, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering position in calling for an immediate ceasefire, stressing its support for efforts to achieve national consensus toward forming a civilian-led government, in a way that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people for development and prosperity.