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Bahrain's Shi'ite opposition parties said on Saturday that they will boycott parliamentary and municipal elections slated for October.
The group, known as The National Democratic Opposition Parties in Bahrain, said it would not take part in elections until a political agreement that reflects the will of the people was reached.
It said the agreement must "realise the principles of a democratic system of governance, where the people are the source of all authority."
The largest opposition party, Al Wifaq, withdrew its 18 members from parliament in 2011 after the Sunni monarchy moved to crush pro-democracy protests with the help of Saudi troops.
Daily protests have shaken the island nation ever since.
The opposition said the "continuous refusal to engage in genuine negotiations ... leaves no option but to continue the peaceful popular struggle that erupted in February 2011."
Since the uprising began, dozens of Shi'ite opposition protesters have been killed or jailed.
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