Bahrainis protest against government ahead of polls

MANAMA, Nov 24 (Reuters) About 2,000 Bahrainis staged a protest in the capital Manama, chanting anti-government slogans and demanding an investigation into alleged election irregularities today, one day ahead of parliamentary polls.

Demonstrators, both minority Sunni Muslims and majority Shi'ites, led by clerics of both persuasions, joined the peaceful protest.

Protesters demanded an investigation into claims of election irregularities by former government adviser Salah al-Bander, who was deported in September for what the Gulf Arab state's authorities said was fomenting civil strife.

''We demand an international investigation into Bandergate,'' one banner read, referring to the affair.

Protesters chanted: ''Down, down with the government.'' REUTERS DKA VC1933