VETERAN Legislator Hon. Jamal Fakhro was last night elected unopposed as Shura Council First Vice-Chairman for the sixth consecutive year.
Council Second Vice-Chairman Hon. Dr. Bahiya Al Jishi was also elected for the second consecutive term after narrowly fighting off challenger Hon. Sameera Rajab by 19 votes to 18.
Elections for the two posts were held last night during the council's first meeting in the second session of the third legislative term.
National Assembly and Shura Council Chairman H.E. Ali Saleh Al Saleh said the leadership had every faith in the ability of National Assembly members to serve the nation.
"We will continue carrying the responsibility of representing Bahrain's population alongside our brothers (MPs) taking into consideration the principles of democracy and freedom," he said.
"The council will work together with the government, led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to achieve people's needs, demands and live up to their expectations as we have always done and will continue doing.
"People's participation in the by-election that ended last month has shown that the nation believes in the leadership's democratic process and in return the leadership has the confidence of the people's representatives with them representing free will."
H.E. Al Saleh said women had shown they were able to go head-to-head with men in every aspect of society.
Rights
"Bahrain is already developed internationally in women's rights thanks to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, chairwomen of the Supreme Council for Women, and it will further bolster through the legislative authority," he said.
New councillor Hon. Abduljalil Abdulla Mohammed Al Oinati read out the oath to replace Abdulghaffar Abdulhussain Abdulla, who resigned from the council in February amid the unrest.
Minister of State for Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Hon. Abdulaziz Al Fadhel wished them the best as the Legislative and Executive bodies seek to co-operate for the good of the country.