Washington D.C. Nov. 26 (BNA): The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington has commended the Bahraini nationals who came from all over the United States to the diplomatic mission to cast their ballots in the second round of the parliamentary elections.

“The Embassy extends its gratitude to all the Bahrainis who came out once more to vote,” the Embassy said in a statement. “The Embassy looks forward to the second round of elections to be held in Bahrain on Saturday.”

Bahraini citizens in the US cast their ballots in the first round of the elections on November 18.

However, citizens registered in constituencies where there was no clear winner had to cast their ballots again on November 25 to decide who among the top two contenders in the first round will be their representative in the parliament.

Under Bahrain’s elections laws, a candidate must secure more than 50 per cent of the votes to be declared winner.

“Only six candidates had secured seats in the first round of voting, leaving 85% of the constituencies – 34 out of 40 – in need to go to the second round,” the Embassy said. “We can expect to see at least 60% of the next Parliament compromised of new members.”

Bahrain had 29 polling stations in its diplomatic missions abroad to make it possible for eligible Bahraini men and women to take an active role in the elections.

Bahrain held parliamentary elections in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.

The European Union and several countries and ambassadors have hailed the success of the elections.