Introduction The legal framework and regulatory procedures undertaken by the National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR) to monitor the electoral process The right to candidacy and voting is one of the most prominent civil and political rights and a pillar of democratic governance based on the principle that the people are the source of all powers. This is because the presence of a transparent and fair electoral process is considered one of the essential guarantees for the existence of a rule of law state. Any denial or obstruction of the exercise of this right undermines the legal foundations upon which such a state is built. First: The national perspective on the right to candidacy and voting 1. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain explicitly guarantees the right of citizens to candidacy and voting. This is clearly stated in Article 1, paragraph (h), which states, "Citizens, both men and women, have the right to participate in public affairs and enjoy political rights, including the right to vote and stand for election, in accordance with this constitution and the conditions and provisions specified by the law. No citizen shall be deprived of the right to vote or stand for election except in accordance with the law." 2. The legislature has also enacted a series of laws that establish detailed regulations governing the exercise and protection of the right to candidacy and voting. These include Decree Law No. 14 of 2002 4