IFES Election Guide | Country Profile: Bahrain

Kingdom of Bahrain

1,577,060
Population (as of Jan. 1, 2023)

365,467
Registered Voters (as of Dec. 7, 2018)

57.29%
Average Turnout

8
Elections in our database

V-Dem* Score: 0.124
Regimes of the World Classification: Closed Autocracy
*Varieties of Democracy Electoral Democracy Index (2024)

CEDAW Status: Ratified
Ratified Date: June 18, 2002

SIGI Score: N/A

CRPD Status: Signed and Ratified
Signed Date: June 25, 2007
Ratified Date: Sept. 22, 2011

HDI* Score: 0.899
Category: Very High
*UNDP Human Development Index (2023)

Name	Official Name	Type
Bahraini Shura Council	Majlis Al-Shura	Upper House
Bahraini Council of Representatives	Majlis Al-Nuwab	Lower House

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: King Hamad bin Isa AL KHALIFA (since 9 March 1999)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad AL KHALIFA (since 11 November 2020)
Assembly: bicameral National Assembly (al-Jamiyh al-Watani) consisting of the Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura) with 40 seats and the Council of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwab) with 40 seats

Description of electoral system:

The King is the hereditary head of state.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch.
In the Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura) 40 members are appointed by the monarch. In the Council of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwab) 40 members are elected by absolute majority vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms.**

** A second, runoff round is held if no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round.

Elections

2022-11-12 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes -
Registered -
Turnout -

2018-12-01 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 134,536
Registered 365,467
Turnout 36.81

2018-11-24 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 238,803
Registered 365,467
Turnout 65.34

2014-11-22 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 183,936
Registered 349,713
Turnout 52.6

2011-09-24 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 25,130
Registered 144,513
Turnout 17.39

2010-10-23 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 123,305
Registered 318,000
Turnout 38.78

2002-10-24 | Status: Held
Bahraini Council of Representatives
Votes 243,449
Registered 243,637
Turnout 99.92

2001-02-14 | Status: Held
Referendum
Votes 196,262
Registered 217,579
Turnout 90.2

Election For	Date	Status	Votes	Registered Voters	Turnout
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2022-11-12	Held	-	-	-
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2018-12-01	Held	134,536	365,467	36.81
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2018-11-24	Held	238,803	365,467	65.34
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2014-11-22	Held	183,936	349,713	52.6
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2011-09-24	Held	25,130	144,513	17.39
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2010-10-23	Held	123,305	318,000	38.78
Bahraini Council of Representatives	2002-10-24	Held	243,449	243,637	99.92
Referendum	2001-02-14	Held	196,262	217,579	90.2

Voter Turnout

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