Bahrain holds election without opposition candidates

Rights groups say whatever the outcome of election, no real change will follow despite record number of female candidates

Bahrainis headed to the polls on Saturday but a ban on opposition candidates meant the election will bring no meaningful change despite a record number of people vying for seats, rights groups said.

More than 330 candidates, including a record 73 women, are competing to join the 40-seat council of representatives - the lower house of parliament that advises King Hamad, who has ruled since his father died in March 1999.