Bahrain: Regime Charged with Irregularities, Challengers Face Punishment

With parliamentary elections a week away in Bahrain, MediaLine reports that an election official has warned of a clamp-down on candidates who challenge the veracity of rivals or the elections themselves. If found guilty of such a challenge without adequate proof, offenders could face six months in jail. Opposition parties are taking part in this year’s election, having boycotted the last poll four years ago. They are accusing the regime of gerrymander and other election-related irregularities. Election officials say all candidates will be able to observe the voting and counting.