Election Campaigns in Bahrain May Go Digital

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is moving towards a new model for election campaigning, allowing candidates to use existing electronic screens and licensed roadside billboards, while firmly rejecting the installation of new digital displays.

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture confirmed that proposals to install new electronic screens for election advertising were not approved, stressing that the existing electronic screens is already sufficient to serve campaign needs.

In its response to the Southern Municipal Council, the ministry stated that a relevant government committee reviewed the matter and concluded that licensed digital screens operating across the Kingdom can be used within established regulations.

The shift could reshape how candidates reach voters, moving away from traditional campaign visuals that have long dominated Bahrain’s streets. For years, elections relied heavily on banners, posters, and temporary structures, which were often installed shortly before the voting day and removed afterward.

Officials indicated that relying on existing infrastructure offers a more efficient and controlled approach, avoiding additional financial burdens while maintaining traffic flow and urban order. The ministry added that alternative advertising methods remain available where needed, depending on each campaign’s nature.

For candidates, the move signals a transition towards more organised and potentially competitive campaigning, where visibility may depend less on physical presence in neighbourhoods and more on strategic placement across digital platforms already embedded in daily life.

As Bahrain prepares for future elections, the decision reflects a broader recalibration of campaign tools, one that blends regulation with modern visibility while keeping the public space unchanged.