Bahrain holds parliament polls; rights groups slam 'repressive' climate

The government said 344,713 voters were eligible to vote, down from 365,467 in the last polls in 2018.

Bahrainis on Saturday voted in parliamentary elections held in an environment rights groups described as "political repression" since the Gulf Arab state has dissolved the main opposition groups and cracked down on dissent.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. in the Sunni-ruled island state, which crushed a 2011 anti-government uprising led largely by the Shi'ite Muslim community that has long complained of discrimination, a charge denied by authorities.

Ahead of the vote, which includes municipal polls, rights group Amnesty International criticised "highly restrictive measures" that bar members of banned opposition groups and those who have served jail terms longer than six months.

"Holding this general election will not address the atmosphere of repression and the denial of human rights that has gripped Bahrain for years," Amnesty said in a statement.

Bahrain, a U.S. ally, has jailed thousands, including opposition leaders, sometimes in mass trials.

The government said 344,713 voters were eligible to vote, down from 365,467 in the last polls in 2018.

London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, describing the vote as a "sham", said legislation on voter inclusion appeared to target individuals who had boycotted earlier polls.