Complaint hotlines will be set up in Bahrain to record human rights violations and vandalism.

They will be operated by National Unity Assembly (NUA) teams in Busaiteen and Riffa, and people living in the country's five governorates can contact them on 17003137 and 17720263, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The initiative, which will be launched today, is part of the society's plan to reach out to people ahead of next year's parliamentary and municipal elections.

"We intend to collect complaints related to human rights violations, problems faced because of street violence, housing and other problems people in Bahrain face," said NUA secretary-general Abdulla Al Howaihi.

"Our aim is to collect feedback from the people and their complaints will be studied by our committee.

"A file will be prepared on different issues highlighted by the complainants and this will be forwarded to the government."

Al Howaihi pledged to continue following up the progress of the complaints with government bodies concerned.

"This way we will know the response from the government on tackling these issues, and if required we shall name the ministries or departments that refused to co-operate with us," he said.

He said the initiative comes ahead of the 2014 polls, but added it was premature to discuss the potential of fielding candidates.

"This is part of our responsibility to the society and it's the right time to launch this initiative before the elections next year," he said. - TradeArabia News Service