This study examined the relationship between corporate governance and voluntary disclosure. The study used a cross-sectional data for the year 2013 of 41 firms listed on Bahrain Bourse. Multiple regression approach was incorporated. The study found that the governance level was 47.1%. Voluntary disclosure percentage was found to be 51.1% in Bahrain Bourse which is considered high compared to previous studies. The results of the study test indicate that there is a positive relationship between the principals: ownership of the largest shareholder, size of the board of directors and independency of board of directors with voluntary disclosure, and that there is no relationship between ownership of the three largest shareholders and voluntary disclosure.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Al Maskati, M.M. and Hamdan, A.M.M. (2017) 'Corporate governance and voluntary disclosure: evidence from Bahrain', Int.

This study examined the relationship between corporate governance and voluntary disclosure. The study used a cross-sectional data for the year 2013 of 41 firms listed on Bahrain Bourse. Multiple regression approach was incorporated. The study found that the governance level was 47.1%. Voluntary disclosure percentage was found to be 51.1% in Bahrain Bourse which is considered high compared to previous studies. The results of the study test indicate that there is a positive relationship between the principals: ownership of the largest shareholder, size of the board of directors and independency of board of directors with voluntary disclosure, and that there is no relationship between ownership of the three largest shareholders and voluntary disclosure.