Bahrain's main opposition group Islamic National Accord Association (INAA) has won nearly half of the seats in parliament in the election, the voting of which held yesterday. The electoral commission chairman Abdullah al-Buainain has said that the INAA has won 18 of parliament's 40 seats in the first round of the legislative poll. It has gained one seat compared to the 17 it won in previous parliamentary election. Nine seats remain in the second round of voting which will take place on 30 October.Parliament has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or cabinet and also has monitoring powers, while the consultative council has the power to block legislation coming out of the lower house.