Bahrain will launch a hotline for 16 hours a day to answer citizens' inquiries related to parliamentary by-election, a top official said.

There will also be legal teams to resolve any problems related to the electoral process, legislation and legal opinions chief and elections executive director Abdulla Buainain told a Press conference, led by Justice, Islamic Affairs and Edowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.

Buainain said authorities will not spare any effort to provide information to the electorate.

Higher committee member Judge Khalid Ajaji said 38 people submitted applications to modify their personal data after the voters' listing phase.

The next phase of nominations begins from Monday until August 24. He said one civil society has so far applied to supervise the election.

"Monitoring by civil societies is nothing new. They did it 2002. It will be there this time, too. More societies may come forward before the August 25 deadline," Buainain added.

He reiterated that the government is committed to involving such societies to help election authorities and ensure transparency.

The election could not be held within 69 days of the announcement due to the State of National Safety and the National Dialogue after security had been restored.

Eighteen seats are up for grabs in the election on September 24 from 8am to 8pm, with a second round on October 1 for any constituency with no clear winner.

Voting will also be held at Bahraini embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions abroad on September 20 and in case of a revote on September 27.

Polling centres will be open at Al Ahd Zaher Secondary Girls School, Hamad Town, Al Wafaa Secondary Girls School, Isa Town, the Religious Institute, Manama, and Al Dair Primary and Intermediate Girls School, Muharraq. The final list of candidates will be displayed at the schools from August 25 to 27. The seats were vacated by Al Wefaq MPs. – TradeArabia News Service