MANAMA: Four candidates go head to head in parliamentary by-election in Muharraq today.

They are contesting to fill Constituency eight seat vacated by Ghanim Al Buainain, who was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in April.

The candidates are Sameer Kadhem, Mubarak Mukhaima, Dr Abdulrahman Buali and Hind Bucheery.

Campaigning ended yesterday.

There are 8,128 registered eligible voters who can cast their ballots from 8am to 8pm at the Hidd Intermediate and Secondary Girls Schools and two general polling centres outside the constituency located at Bahrain City Centre and Bahrain International Airport.

Bahrainis living or travelling abroad have already cast their ballots at Bahrain's embassies and consulates in Amman, Cairo, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

If no candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the votes, a second round of voting will be held next Saturday for the top two candidates, with overseas voting on Tuesday.