DUBAI: King Hamad has set a Nov. 22 date for Bahrain’s first parliamentary elections since a Shiite-led uprising rocked the state in 2011.

 

The main Shiite opposition group Al-Wefaq, which made slender gains in the last poll held in 2010, withdrew its 18 MPs after a government crackdown the next year on Shiite protesters.

 

They were replaced in by-elections held later in 2011.

 

In a copy of a royal decree published on the official BNA agency late Monday, King Hamad urged eligible voters to elect members of the 40-seat lower house of parliament. 

The lower house has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or Cabinet and also has monitoring powers.

 

But the upper chamber, or Consultative Council, appointed by the king and which has the same number of members, has the power to block legislation by the lower house.

 

Bahrain’s opposition, demanding a constitutional monarchy, has not yet announced if it will participate in the polls. A proposal this month by authorities to relaunch a national dialogue has been given a frosty reception by Al-Wefaq.