Hundreds of Bahrainis have applied for jobs offered by the Interior Ministry despite traffic congestions due to protests.

The applicants submitted their documents in five centres across Bahrain for a place in the 20,000 job offers.

Vacancies cover the Coastguard, General Directorate of Traffic, General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs and the Civil Defence.

A devoted office in each centre received all applications and the necessary documents, said officials.

These include certificates from intermediate school or any educational level reached afterwards, of good conduct, marriage contract if applicable and four 4x6cm photos.

Copies of a candidate's passport, birth certificate and CPR must also be included.

Interior Ministry human resources assistant under-secretary Brigadier Hassan Al Samem, who visited all centres, told our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News (GDN) that the process was running smoothly.

'Applications that are complete will be sent to the human resources department,' he said.

'All data will afterwards be entered in the system, then people will be chosen following an interview and depending on their qualifications. The position will be chosen according to their abilities.'

Brig Al Samem said that the entire process of receiving applications would take a month.

Northern Police Directorate in Hamad Town had scores of residents gathering outside the gate from 7am, an hour before opening time.

Noorah, 19, said her dream had been to become a policewoman for a long time.

Her sister Aysha, 22, joined her at the centre so they both applied for a job at the ministry.

'My sister said she also wants to be a policewoman to support me,' said Noora, a high school graduate. 'I want to be involved in protecting my country.'

Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) civil engineering student Hussain Moosa said he had applied several times at the Interior Ministry since 2007.

'I wanted to join as a civil employee in the ministry, but as there was no vacancy at the time I applied for the police force,' he said.

'I saw this as an opportunity to reapply and be a part of the ministry.'

Brothers Mohammed and Ahmed Al Jawad, aged 21 and 23 respectively, said they were happy with the job opportunities as they wanted to join the police force.

'I have applied three times before and today I felt this is a good chance to reapply,' said Mr Ahmed.

Seeing a relative dressed in a police uniform and the symbol it represented was the motivation for Maha Al Shemri to apply at the centre in Hamad Town.

'My cousin works as a policeman in the ministry,' said the 18-year-old.

'I loved his uniform and how they are trained to serve our country which is such a noble job, so I decided to follow his steps,' she said.

Meanwhile, the Southern Police Directorate had more than 100 applicants arriving early yesterday morning to submit their documents at the centre located near the Clock Roundabout in West Riffa.

Bahrain University student Dalal Abdulrazzaq said she had earlier applied at the Bahrain Defence Force but did not get recruited.

'This time I am applying to be part of the police force,' said the 19-year-old.

Her friend Seham, 23, was asked to return the next day to bring necessary documents to complete her application.

She said she wanted to join the police force as a national duty towards her country.

'Even if they asked me to volunteer I will because my country Bahrain needs me,' she said.

'We need more officers since the unrest happened.'

Medical graduate Moosa Khalil said he wanted to serve the ministry with the help of his knowledge as a general practitioner.

'I felt my study is needed to help the ministry in their quest for peace and sustaining order,' said the 24-year-old.

'We are in a time that needs more officers to ensure everyone's safety.'

Centres receiving applications are the Muharraq Police Station, Northern Police Directorate in Hamad Town, Capital Police Directorate on Exhibition Road, Central Governorate Directorate in Isa Town and the Southern Police Directorate in Riffa.

Candidates should be Bahraini, no less than 162 centimetres tall, aged between 18 and 30 years and not have any political affiliation.

All eligible candidates will take a test and undergo an interview and medical and physical fitness tests.-TradeArabia News Service