Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert welcomed what she called "successful first round of voting in Bahrain's parliamentary and municipal elections."

Nauert said in a tweet "The U.S. encourages a continued commitment to an inclusive, peaceful, and democratic political process as voters return to the polls this Saturday," in reference to the second round of voting.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert didn't say any remark regarding the electoral process that took place amid application of broad political isolation involving opponents and loyalists, including previous MPs and main loyalist blocs, and amid isolation of the two main important opposition societies; Al-Wefaq and Wa'ad, in addition to the repressive political environment that was criticized by the major international human rights organizations, mainly Amnesty and Human Rights Watch.

Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Chairman of the High Committee to Oversee the Integrity of the Elections, Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa announced that the participation rate was 67%, while Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the largest opposition group that boycotted the elections, said that participation rate did not exceed 30%.

Arabic Version