MANAMA // Senior royals yesterday declined to respond to the opposition leader's call for the king to choose the prime minister from the citizens rather than the ruling family.
"It is not a matter of putting an answer onto my tongue," Sheikh Khaled bin Ali al Khalifa, the minister of justice and Islamic affairs, told The National while meeting journalists to discuss the election process on the eve of the poll. "My opinion will be determined through a kind of a dialogue."
"The things, or the agendas or the requests of any party will be translated, interpreted tomorrow into the ballot box," Sheikh Khalid said.
"The main issue is that we have a system of inclusivity to get all people to state their demands as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not negate the benefit of the country."
Another member of the royal family, the president of the government's information affairs authority, Fawaz bin Mohammed al Khalifa, said: "I'll tell you [my opinion] after the election."
Sheikh Ali Salman, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Shiite-dominated Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, told a rally of about 20,000 supporters in a suburb of Manama on Wednesday that the ruling family was owed the "respect and consideration" of the population.
"We look forward to the day where any child of the people, be they Sunni or Shiite, can become prime minister," Sheikh Ali said, stressing that he was not calling for immediate change and it should come about peacefully.
Another candidate for the society, Abduljalil Ebrahim, said Sheikh Ali has once before called for the government's top post to be filled by a member of the public and afterwards he was accused of trying to overthrow the regime.
About 318,000 Bahrainis will choose between 127 candidates in today's parliamentary election. The 40 winners will form the Council of Representatives, the country's lower house, to legislate alongside an appointed chamber known as the Consultative Council.
Bahrain's executive authority is selected by the royal family and royals hold many of the posts. The current prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa, the king's uncle, has held the position since the country gained its independence in 1971.
Bahrain's elections have been marred by allegations of government manipulation by methods such as political naturalisation, moving votes between constituencies and the establishment of electoral boundaries that favour its supporters.
Protests have erupted across the country since August, and more than 250 men are said to have been detained.
"We have no previous, future, or present experience of making fraud," Sheikh Khaled added. "We have to continue as we have been - honest, and doing what we can."
jcalderwood@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
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Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
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The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter