King Hamad issued two new decree-laws on 16 October in Bahrain to update existing national legislation. Decree-Law No 37 of 2026 amends Article 9 of the 1975 Passports Law, establishing specific categories of individuals eligible to receive special passports. Separately, Decree-Law No 38 of 2026 modifies the 2002 Governorates Law. These changes formalize the regulatory framework governing the appointment process, eligibility requirements, and professional duties of Mukhtars across the kingdom.
Expanded Special Passport Eligibility
Decree-Law No 37 of 2026 establishes specific eligibility criteria for special passports within Bahrain. Individuals qualifying for these documents include members of the Shura Council and Parliament, officials holding the rank of under-secretary or above, members of the Constitutional Court, and judges serving on the Cassation Court.
Military and security personnel also receive coverage under the new provisions. Those holding the rank of major-general or higher are eligible for special passports, provided they are not already entitled to diplomatic passports under existing national regulations.
The mandate extends these benefits to the families of qualifying officials. Eligibility applies to spouses and children under the age of 21. Additionally, unmarried daughters of these officials remain eligible for special passports regardless of their age.
New Regulations for Mukhtars
Decree-Law No 38 of 2026 mandates specific eligibility criteria for individuals seeking the position of Mukhtar in Bahrain. Candidates must be Bahraini citizens who possess the ability to read and write. The legislation requires that applicants maintain a clean legal record, stipulating that individuals with prior felony convictions or those who have faced disciplinary dismissal from public service are ineligible for the role.
The appointment process for Mukhtars follows a structured timeline under the new regulations. Appointees serve for a period of four years. These terms may be renewed upon the expiration of the initial appointment, provided the individual continues to meet the established criteria. Regarding age requirements, the decree specifies that candidates must be at least 40 years old to qualify for the position.
Legislative Notification Process
The Shura Council will receive formal notification regarding Decree-Law No 37 of 2026 and Decree-Law No 38 of 2026 during its upcoming weekly session. Scheduled for Sunday, this meeting serves as the official mechanism for the legislative body to review the new mandates issued by King Hamad. Following this presentation, the council will integrate the amendments into the national framework. The process ensures that the updated regulations concerning passport eligibility and the governance of Mukhtars are properly recorded within the parliamentary record. Ahmed Al Musallam is expected to oversee the session as the council reviews the legal changes affecting the kingdom.