Bahraini Shi'ite power limited despite poll win

MANAMA, Nov 27 (Reuters) Bahrain's majority Shi'ites won a political voice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom for the first time in Saturday's parliamentary elections, but they are far from being able to wield real political power in the Gulf state.

The Shi'ite Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Bahrain's largest opposition group, won 16 of the 17 seats it contested in the 40-seat lower house.

But Wefaq's leader Sheikh Ali Salman downplayed the prospects of real change, pointing to a state-appointed 40 member upper assembly, the Shura council, which along with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, must approve all legislation.

''In terms of changing the law and the constitution, room for manoeuvre is extremely limited. It's good that he's (Salman) accepted this,'' newspaper editor Mansoor Al-Jamri said.

Wefaq boycotted polls in 2002 to protest the introduction of the Shura council, but entered Saturday's elections after Salam said the boycott had brought little result.

The island-state of Bahrain, headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, is ruled by the Sunni al-Khalifa family. Since he came to power in 1999 King al-Khalifa has introduced some reforms, including pardoning political prisoners and exiles.

Demands by Shi'ites, who account for 60 per cent of Bahrain's 650,000 population, for more power and an end to discrimination in jobs and services have in the past led to clashes with police and some have fled abroad.

''The effect of Wefaq's win will have on Bahraini politics is limited,'' Ahmed Al Mudaweb, a political editor of another national newspaper said.

''I do not think Wefaq will start demonstrating immediately, but at later stages they might, and this will either give them more power or lead to a crisis in government,'' he added.

No secular liberal candidates won seats in Saturday's vote and only one of 18 women was elected. Sunni Islamists took eight seats.

''This is Bahraini society, which is similar to others in the West Asia. The hope is that in taking part in politics Islamists will believe in democracy ... and leave room for others who do not share their beliefs,'' Jamri said.

SECTARIAN BICKERING Some Bahrainis said Wefaq could in future pressure the government by threatening to withdraw from parliament. Others said the king would thwart real change and that sectarian bickering would overshadow politics.

''I don't think Wefaq will be able to change much, but at least if they're there, they take the place of those who do not really represent Bahrainis ... They could pressure the government by threatening to withdraw,'' Ahmed Isa said.

Saeed Mahdi said: ''The problem is that Shi'ites and Sunnis have become more sectarian and are more interested in arguing than advancing the interest of the people ... Everyone knows that nothing will happen unless the king allows it.'' Analysts have said a backdrop of sectarian clashes in Iraq and increasing Shi'ite power in Iran and Lebanon has raised sectarian tensions in Bahrain.

Eleven seats will be contested in a second round of voting on Saturday. Three Wefaq-allied liberals are running, and if they win parliament, will be dominated by opposition politicians.

REUTERS LL RN2355