3rd session of fourth legislative term begins

(Manama) – The National Assembly (Parliament and Shura Council) commenced their first meetings in the third session of the fourth legislative term. The meetings were unusually held at night, as they followed the special ceremony held in the late afternoon at Isa Cultural Centre in Juffair.
It was organised in the presence of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Speakers of both branches of the Legislative Authority, Royal Family members, Ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, religious scholars and dignitaries were also present.
Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh chaired the first meeting of the council.
He hailed the keynote speech of HM the King and appreciated His Majesty’s support to the legislative and democratic processes in the Kingdom.
Addressing the council, Al Saleh said that “the new session comes with huge responsibilities to ensure the protection of rights and interests of Bahrain and its people”.
Then, Shura Council members elected the first and second Deputy Chairpersons of the Council in an open voting process.
Jamal Fakhro was elected for the second time in a row as the first Deputy Chairman, gaining 22 of 40 votes, while Jameela Salman was chosen by the majority as the second Deputy Chairperson for the second consecutive session with 27 votes. The Council will resume its ordinary weekly meetings on Sundays starting next week.