Thousands of Bahrainis and expatriates go to the polls today for the second round of voting in parliament and municipal council elections.

Eight parliament seats are up for grabs and will be contested by 16 candidates, including one of only three women to make it into the final run-off.

Thirty-four candidates will also compete for the remaining 17 municipal council seats, including two women.

The ballot papers of around 415 Bahrainis living abroad, who were registered to take part in the second round of voting, will be added to the results.

Overseas voters can only choose parliament candidates and not those standing for municipal councils.

Around 222,600 people took part in the first round of voting to choose 40 MPs and 40 councillors, amounting to a turnout of almost 70 per cent.

A second round takes place when no candidate achieves a majority of over 50 per cent of the votes polled.

Expatriates and GCC citizens who are Bahrain residents and own property are eligible to vote for their local councillor.

Voting will be held at 49 polling stations around the country, 39 at main constituency centres and 10 at general locations.

Polling stations will be open from 8 am to 8 pm for parliament and 8am to 6pm for municipal elections.

Voters should carry their passports along with valid CPR cards or smart cards to be able to take part in Bahrain's third elections in eight years. – TradeArabia News Service