the date of opening and closing nominations. This Decision shall be published in the Official Gazette at least thirty days before the date set for holding the elections.” 6. Pursuant to the provisions of the above mentioned Article, the Prime Minister’s Decree No. (31) of 2018 of was issued, specifying the date of election and nomination for the membership of the municipal councils. Article (1) thereof, states that, “Voters whose names are registered in the voters’ lists in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law No. (3) of 2002 on the system of election of members of municipal councils, are invited to attend the ballot and counting stations to elect the members of the municipal councils on Saturday 24/11/2018 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. In cases that require run-off election, the run-off will take place on Saturday, 1/12/2018 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.” 7. It is worth mentioning that the above-mentioned Resolution of the Prime Minister was issued on 24 September 2018 and published in the Official Gazette on 26 September 2018 pursuant to the provisions of Article No. (13) of Decree-Law No. (3) of 2002 on the system of election of members of municipal councils and its amendments. 8. Extrapolating from the above mentioned constitutional and legal provisions and stipulations, the NIHR believes that the Royal Order determining the date for election and candidacy for the membership of the House of Representatives, and the Resolution of the Prime Minister determining the date for election and candidacy for the membership of the municipal councils were issued within the specified constitutional and legal periods. This reaffirms the genuine and sincere intention of the highest-ranking political leadership to further promote democratic life since the onset of the reform project of His Majesty the King - may God preserve him - in respect for the constitutional decisions as the highest document in the legal system of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 9. Pursuant to the provisions of Article No. (17) of Decree-Law No. (14) of 2002 on the Exercise of Political Rights, as amended, which states that, “The Kingdom of Bahrain shall, in the application of the provisions of this Law, be divided into a number of constituencies, each consisting of a number of electoral districts. Each electoral district shall elect one member. A decree shall be issued defining the constituencies, electoral districts, and their boundaries, and the number of subcommittees required to conduct the ballot and counting processes. The subcommittees shall comprise a chair chosen from among the judicial body or legislators working for the State ministries, government 22

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