Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Essam Fakhro has called for implementing a new law banning proxy voting during the elections for board members.

The call comes after members voted overwhelmingly (885 against and 137 in favour) against a proposal to amend the by-law on proxy voting.

According to this by-law, BCCI members can vote on behalf of other members by virtue of a power of attorney.

Dr Fakhro told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej that the by-law helps those authorised to vote on behalf of small business owners manipulate elections, pledging to stand up against such practices.

He urged to implement the new BCCI statute, in line with the Royal order, to put an end to this dangerous practice threatening the future of this national democratic establishment.

BCCI board of directors had approved the amendment in the latest session, but some of its members and their supporters voted against during the general assembly.

A group of BCCI board members mobilised supporters and collected 'authorisations' in the same way they had done during last elections (one of them was authorised to vote for 160 members), our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej learnt. – TradeArabia News Service