Anyone trying to interfere with or scupper elections in November will face severe consequences, a top Bahraini government official has warned.

In a media briefing held at Isa Cultural Centre yesterday, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa described the upcoming elections as an opportunity for everyone to participate in the democratic process, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

However, those who incite hatred or try to discourage others from taking part will be "dealt with seriously", he cautioned.

"This is a historic moment for Bahrain, with elections being held in new constituencies that are fairer and take into consideration the democratic progress," said Shaikh Khalid, who is also chair of the newly-formed High Elections Committee.

"Over the past 12 years, since elections were resumed in 2002, Bahrain has built up its experience in the electoral process - but now the time has come for a new era, or let us say a new beginning."

The door is open for anyone who wants to participate in the elections, Shaikh Khalid said, "but those who incite hatred by accusing others of being traitors, or cause trouble, or issue fatwas (religious edicts) against those participating will be dealt with seriously in accordance with the law."

The minister also rejected claims that constituencies that had their boundaries redrawn by Royal Decree on Monday were now unfair.

"For those who doubt the fairness of elections because of the division of constituencies, I have to say that 80 per cent have been changed in line with Bahrain's demographics," he said.

"I still hear people say that seats are divided 26 to 14 or 22 to 18 or 21 to 19 or now 20 to 20, but who determines these divisions? No-one owns constituencies and it is up to candidates to convince voters to vote for them.

"It is the voters who own the candidates - not the other way round - and it is the people's will that will determine who gets the seat."

Shaikh Khalid also promised strict action against anyone who tried to prevent people from voting.

"We take the welfare of candidates and voters very seriously and it is our job to ensure that everyone is able to cast their vote safely and easily," he said.

"Legal action will be taken against anyone preventing or blocking someone's access to a polling station - we will not just let this go."

All political societies operating legally in Bahrain have the right to contest the elections, Shaikh Khalid added.

"Some political societies are facing court orders and they have been given a month to fix things - if they do and want to participate then no one will stop them, that is their right," he said.

"Some people misunderstood His Majesty King Hamad's Royal Decrees and have gone on to say that those who don't participate now will be banned from all upcoming elections. That is wrong because no one has ever been punished or would be punished this way.

"People have the right to use their vote or abstain, if they so wish."

Bahrain is set to hold its parliamentary and municipal elections on November 22, with a second round of voting scheduled for November 29, if required.

The King issued a decree on Monday dissolving the Central Governorate and dividing up its former constituencies among the newly redrawn electoral divisions in the Capital, Northern and Southern Governorates.

Muharraq Governorate, meanwhile, only witnessed minor changes to its existing eight constituencies. - TradeArabia News Service