TWO veteran councillors who worked together for eight years will now run against each other for a parliament seat in Muharraq.

Mohammed Al Mutawa and Abdulnasser Al Mahmeed, who is backed by Al Asala Islamic Society, were elected to the Muharraq Municipal Council, to represent different constituencies, in 2006 and 2010.

They plan to run for parliament this year, but have found themselves competing in the same constituency following the redrawing of Bahrain’s maps last month, which dissolved the Central Governorate.

They registered at the Al Hedaya Al Khalifya Secondary School for Boys for constituency three, which covers parts of central Muharraq and parts of Busaiteen.

‘I served for eight years as a councillor and successfully worked on several projects for citizens and it’s time now to move to a higher platform,’ said Mr Al Mutawa.

‘I have a background in law and will use this in parliament combined with my municipal council experience.’

His competitor, Mr Al Mahmeed, served as council deputy chairman from 2006 to 2010 and council chairman from 2010.

He has also been credited for clearing urbanisation projects such as Amwaj Islands and Diyar Al Muharraq.

‘The people in my area and even Muharraq are aware about my work during my eight-year tenure and want me to contest for parliament this time,’ he said.

‘I think it’s the right time to step into parliament as we are already aware of the civic issues and need to work on national issues this time.’

Meanwhile, two allies who represented the same constituency in parliament and municipal council will contest against each other.

Outgoing MP Abdulrahman Bumajeed and Manama Municipal councillor Adnan Al Nuaimi, who shared the same office for the Capital Governorate’s former constituency six, will now run for a parliament seat in constituency four.

Mr Bumajeed has been an MP for two consecutive terms, while Mr Al Nuaimi has been serving in the council since 2010 and was previously Mr Bumajeed’s assistant.

‘It is a fair race and all of us are looking to serve Bahrain, it is more difficult now and it is up to us to prove who the best is,’ said Mr Bumajeed.