Bahrain is to hold by-elections in September to replace opposition MPs who resigned in February.

Voters will go to the polls on September 24 and a second round runoff will be held if necessary on October 1, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa said.

In March, the 40-member parliament accepted the resignation of 11 out of 18 Al Wefaq MPs, who walked out in February.

He urged Bahrainis to take part in the by-election in large numbers 'to preserve the landmark achievements yielded by His Majesty King Hamad's reform project.'

Shaikh Khalid also stressed the crucial importance of the supplementary elections in spearheading reforms and putting democratic process back on track.

'This by-election will achieve people's hopes and aspirations and promote national unity,' he said.

Al Wefaq members, whose resignations were accepted, are not eligible to run for the by-elections, according to the constitution, reports our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej.-TradeArabia News Service