Bahrain’s general elections are “pointless” as they are coming at a time when people are still protesting against the ruling Al Khalifa regime, says an activist.

“This election is taking place amidst the context of ongoing political crisis. People are still taking to the streets, demanding political reform, demanding democratic change,” Dominic Kavakeb, with Bahrain Justice and Development Movement from London, said in an interview with Press TV.

He added that Bahrain’s main opposition group, al-Wefaq, is “fully aware” of Bahrain’s political system, saying that these elections are completely “pointless.”

The analyst also noted that the Bahraini people’s demands are “not sectarian” and that they are looking for basic “democratic rights.” 
 
This comes as Bahraini regime forces have attacked protesters ahead of the general elections.

Al-Wefaq and four other Sunni and Shia groups have boycotted the legislative and municipal polls. The opposition says it wants a real constitution with an elected, independent government.

Manama, meanwhile, says it is open for dialog with the opposition.

Previous negotiations between the two sides have, however, failed to produce any results.

The activist concluded that the first step before the elections should be a “serious dialogue,” stressing that an election is not a dialogue but a continuation of the status quo.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of protesters have held numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power. According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested in the regime crackdown.

AHK/HSN