Police security is being beefed up to protect voters and candidates during next month's by-elections in Bahrain.

Police will be out in force to ensure safety at voting centres and key constituencies as part of a joint Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Interior ministries plan.

The three-day candidate registration process, which concluded yesterday, passed without incident, but officials said no chances would be taken in the run up to Election Day on September 24.

"It is the government's job to ensure that everyone wishing to practise their political right in voting for suitable candidates is protected with whatever means possible," said Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission president Abdulla Al Buainain, who is supervising the by-elections, during a Press conference.

Eighty-four candidates have registered to stand for the elections, including nine women, in 18 seats in the Northern, Manama, Central and Muharraq governorates.

A total of 187,080 people will be eligible to cast their ballots.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Institute for Political Development will tonight launch a training programme for candidates on parliamentary experience, its mechanisms and work techniques, and role of the legislative authority in monitoring and legislation.

It will be held at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa and will continue until Sunday. – TradeArabia News Service