A general election for the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of parliament) was held in October 2010. Al-Wefaq emerged as the largest group in parliament, although it fell short of a majority, winning 18 of the 40 seats. All of al-Wefaq's MPs have since withdrawn from parliament, in protest over the violence used against protesters. Pro-government independents won 17 seats. The next parliamentary election was scheduled for 2014, although this is likely to be pushed back, and the king is expected to rule by decree.