Kuwait elects new Parliament today

02 February 2012

KUWAIT: Against all odds, Kuwaitis go to polls today, turning the page on all the unfortunate events that unfolded over the past period. The people of Kuwait will pass their verdict and determine the shape and makeup of the incoming Parliament in the hope that past difficulties will be overcome. Amid this tense atmosphere and lamentable developments, electoral campaigns concluded on Wednesday; as voters are due to elect a 50-strong Parliament representing the ten electoral constituencies. A total number of 287 candidates are contesting in the election including 23 females. Polling will start at 8 am through 8 pm, with 400269 eligible voters expected to cast their votes through 543 polling stations across the country. Observers are expecting a huge turnout considering the events that preceded the dissolution of Parliament and the resignation of Cabinet, among others. They also believe that the elections will witness stiff competition and surprises for the first time in the country's history. In this context, former MP and Second Constituency candidate Ali Al-Rashed announced that he will call off a planned rally on Wednesday in abidance by a request made by the Ministry of Interior to prevent any possible escalation. Al-Rashed stated that he received a tip-off from the Ministry of Interior that a number of people who were planning to attend the rally had plans to blot the event which might descend into clashes. The former lawmaker urged all to remain calm and observe restraint. For his part, former MP and Third Constituency candidate Roudhan Al-Roudhan affirmed that there are those out there to unleash harm to the country in order to achieve their narrow personal ends, describing this as a major threat to Kuwait. Meanwhile, the Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Al-Jaber affirmed that the State of Kuwait has harnessed all its resources and machinery to ensure smooth and transparent political process. Second Constituency candidate Abdulatiff Al-Omairi urged the Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah to intensify security efforts during polling, and stressed the importance of applying the law and the restoration of confidence to the Ministry of Interior. Former MP and Third Constituency candidate Rola Dashti asserted that the incident that took place recently should not be condoned, adding that the role being played by leading opposition figures will only deepen divisions and undermine national unity. Third Constituency candidate Saoud Al-Samakah expressed regret over calls by some for mob justice in a state of law and Constitution; while former MP and First Constituency candidate Faisal Al-Duwaisan stressed that all tribes must be respected. He argued that what happened recently wouldn't have unfolded had not it been for the laxity of government in applying the law. Additionally, Fifth Constituency candidate Ayedh Al-Otaibi urged for caution in the coming period and the consideration of the threats facing the country, stressing that citizens should effectively take part in the election to lead Kuwait out of brink. Moreover, Third Constituency candidate Fahad Al-Khanna affirmed that rights are retained by law, adding that the laxity of authorities in enforcing the law...has the potential to lurch the country into chaos and lawlessness. In another development, Kuwait's urgent matters court on Wednesday refused to bar candidate Mohammad Al-Juwaihel from running in the parliamentary elections. Al-Juwaihel was initially crossed off the record of candidates by an ad-hoc committee over legal issues, but was later reinstated by the administrative court. However, he again sparked controversy after he insulted the Al-Mutairi tribe as he was delivering a speech to his supporters. Angry tribesmen converged on his headquarters and set the tents ablaze. Mohammad Munawer, a lawyer, filed a suit to have him barred.

Minister Hamad praises international elections observers' presence

02 February 2012

KUWAIT: Information Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah said here on Wednesday that the presence of international observers in Kuwait gives a good impression of the democratic process in the State of Kuwait, saying that justice and transparency are among the country's work strategy. This came during a luncheon he hosted in honor of the international observers currently in Kuwait to cover tomorrow's parliamentary elections. He stressed that the presence of international observers gave the best impression in the hearts of the citizens, local, Arab and international civil societies on justice and transparency as acquired rights for candidates and voters, adding that the observers will follow tomorrow the voting process for the National Assembly elections 2012. Sheikh Hamad said that the eyes of the world are now focused on the State of Kuwait, which is 'living a democratic wedding' where about 120 media bodies and correspondents from around the world would be covering these elections, stressing that these media personnel would exercise their functions freely and transparently. The Minister asserted that all concerned bodies were prepared to serve the parliamentary election 2012. He added that the ministry is keen on holding transparent and fair elections, therefore it allowed all candidates to present their programs and views to electors through TV and radio. The minister said that the political leadership intends to establish a higher authority for integrity which boosts the State's approach toward democratic practices according to laws in order to achieve social justice and development in all areas. The minister said that decisions approved by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to establish an independent higher commission for elections and an independent higher commission for transparency confirm that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah boosts the democratic approach of the State. Sheikh Hamad said that the coming phase requires cooperation of all people and upholding national unity and maintaining national fabric in order to push the wheel of development forward. He stressed the need to abandon sectarian and tribal loyalties, which have always been rejected by the people of Kuwait. The Minister valued the role played by the Ministry of Information to cover the election process since opening the door for registration. He said that the government is working according to a well prepared plan and comprehensive media strategy to cover the polling day and vote counting and announcing the results. Sheikh Hamad said that the ministry staff and media persons pay a tribute to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Muabark Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for providing all facilities to local, Arab and international media means.

Kuwait's upcoming elections fruit of rich democratic experience -- eminent activist

1/30/2012

An eminent Austrian human rights activist has praised upcoming parliamentary elections in Kuwait, due on February 2nd, affirming that the event is fruit of the country's rich democratic experience accumulated since founding of the modern state.

The elections that are being prepared to be held on the 2nd of next month constitute one of the outcomes of the country's deep-rooted democratic experience, marked with a balanced relationship between a state led by an Amir and people that enjoy freedoms of speech and opinion, according to terms guaranteed by the National Constitution, said Tarafa Baghjati, board member of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) in an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

General freedoms granted by the Kuwaiti Constitution, namely freedoms of the press and expression as well as political activities within the framework of the National Assembly (Parliament), are substantial accomplishments that are being keenly preserved and developed by Kuwait, according to changing circumstances and events, said Baghjati in the remarks to KUNA, after taking part in a symposium on current popular protests for democracy and reforms in the Arab world.

He concurred with the common prevailing belief that winds of political change that have swept several Arab nations will not blow in the Gulf region, namely the GCC countries, for these states have material, social and political capacities that enable them to cope with such challenges -- thus genuine change of the political systems in these states is ruled out.

Moreover, Kuwait' adoption of the democratic system, since its independence in the 60s of the last century, has made it immune in the face of such revolts and turbulence.

The democratic experience in Kuwait is an advanced example, among the other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, in particular, and the Arab world, in general, he affirmed.

The Austrian activist, of Syrian descent, commented on the popular protests across the Arab world, hoping that they would lead to freedoms, reforms and adoption of democracy. However, he cautioned that these events might result in fomenting racial, religious and sectarian fanaticism in some of the troubled countries.

Kuwaiti democracy ''seminal'' in GCC - Moroccan Minister

Kuwait's democracy is seminal amongst its counterparts in the GCC, Lahbib Choubani, Minister in charge of Relations with Parliament and Civil Society, said.

Choubani told KUNA that the Kuwaiti democratic experience has been shaped since the 1960s and it reached an exceptional level in recent years due to the support of the ruling Al-Sabah family.

The Moroccan official affirmed that both Morocco and Kuwait were heading in the direction within the democratic domain, affirmed that parliaments in both countries could work together to exchange experiences to the benefit of both nations.

Hopefully the next National Assembly elections in Kuwait, on February 2nd, would result in a productive parliament that would work with the government to bring upon a bright future to the people of Kuwait.

Historic Democracy in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait has historic experience in democracy and political openness which other countries lack, according to Lebanese experts. Abdo Saad, head of Beirut Center for Research and Information, said "Kuwait has a rich history in democracy; it is one of the pioneering Arab countries, and since the creation of the state, with a real political action.

"There is no ultimate ruler in Kuwait but rather a kind of partnership and it is the only country in the Arab world if we excluded Lebanon," he said in an interview. Saad said Kuwait was "very advanced" in terms of democracy because there was a high degree of scrutiny by the parliament.

This political action, he added, prevented Kuwait from many conflicts like the ones that occurred in some Arab countries, in addition to having a "well-respected constitution." "In other countries, there is totalitarianism and suppression of minorities which does not exist in Kuwait. The country enjoys wide freedom," he said.

Executive Manager of the Arab Development NGOs Network, Zeyad Abdulsamad, said the political regime in Kuwait was quite opened. The elections in Kuwait on February 2, was held on the heels of a dissolved parliament which paves way for the (new) National Assembly to honor aspirations of the people. Democracy and elections in Kuwait will spare the country from political conflicts, he noted.

The Arab network for democratic elections, in a report about the Kuwaiti elections, said logistic and administrative preparations were in line with international standards.

It said Kuwaiti laws were forbidding buying of votes, using money of unions to fund campaigns, security stability and lack of riots.

Two lawmakers from the United Kingdom praised the Kuwaiti democracy and its unique political experience, which is highly respected all over the world, saying the polls reflect the country’s respect of freedom of expression and human rights. Labour MP Khalid Mahmoud and Baroness Emma Harriet Nicholson of Winterbourne from the Liberal Democrats party agreed in interviews that the Kuwaiti people should take pride in their achievements and democratic heritage.

Head of the British-Kuwaiti Parliamentary Friendship Society in House of Commons MP Khalid Mahmoud expressed his great relief over the running of new parliamentary elections in Kuwait. Kuwait was and still is a leading democracy in the Arab World, and its political and social developments should be an example for other nations in the region, he said.

286 citizens officially registered as polling candidates

27 January 2012

KUWAIT: Up to 286 figures including 23 women have been officially approved as candidates for the 2012 National Assembly elections, following closure of the nomination and withdrawal of a number of contenders from the race. Up to 62 candidates of the total number of 286 nominees will represent the first constituency, 61 the second constituency, 67 the third, 49 the fourth and 47 the fifth district, according to statistical figures released by the electoral commission of the Ministry of Interior on Thursday. Number of the former candidates who opted to withdraw reached 108, with 17 representing the first constituency, 19 the second, 16 the third, 27 the fourth and 29 the fifth division. Figure of disqualified nominees reached four; two from the fifth constituency, one from the first and another from the third. Overall number of citizens who had been nominated reached 398; 80 from the first and second constituencies, 84 from the third, 76 from the fourth and 78 from the fifth district. Parliamentary elections are due early on Feb. 2. Polling is due to proceed till 8 a.m. (Kuwait local time) and names of winners of seats in the National Assembly will be declared in the later hours.

Lebanese media figures hail Kuwaiti democracy

BEIRUT: The State of Kuwait is a pioneer and leading example of a democratic state in the Arab region with its freedom of opinion and freedom of expression that has enriched political life for decades, Lebanese media figures told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Wednesday.

News anchor at Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation Yazak Wahbe said, "Kuwait has a deep-rooted democracy which sometimes results in holding of parliament elections at short intervals, which is a true sign of democracy ... What is also unique in Kuwaiti political action is steering away from confrontation." Senior reporter of Lebanon-MTV Denise Rahme Fakhry on her part told KUNA, "Parliamentary elections in Kuwait are a manifestation of democracy we wish to see in all other Arab countries." She added that whatever the result of the polls, they are a necessary means for people to express themselves.

Kuwaitis are pioneers in this respect, the veteran reporter said, and "the nature of the demands made by the Kuwaiti people is unique to the Arab region, and reflects the public's satisfaction with the Constitution and the ruling regime, because they satisfy and meet their needs and expectations." Another media figure, New TV correspondent Christine Habib, said actual practice of all forms of freedom in Kuwait created a lively political life and an atmosphere of stability rarely seen in other countries.

The political experience of the country which goes back for decades provided Kuwait with immunity against the kind of flux and developments currently taking place in many Arab countries. The nature of the demands of both the public and the politicians reflects this fact, she stressed.

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Info. ministry to hold press conf. on elections for observers 

1/30/2012

KUWAIT – The Kuwait’s Information Ministry on Monday announced holding a press conference for local and international observer teams assigned on following-up on upcoming parliamentary elections.

In statements to KUNA, Youssef Mustafa, the ministry's assistant undersecretary for news and political programs' affairs, said the conference is set for Wednesday at 10:30 am at the Sheraton Hotel, adding that three civil society organizations will take part, for the first time, in monitoring the electoral process in Kuwait.

He noted that the participating organizations are Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS), Kuwait Lawyers Association (KLA) and Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA), as well as several other Arab and foreign societies specialized in elections' monitoring.

Poll candidates call for full democracy

30 January 2012

KUWAIT: Candidates contesting a general election in Kuwait this week are calling for sweeping reforms including a new Constitution that would turn the oil-rich Gulf state into a full democracy.

Their demands range from the establishment of a Western-style, multi-party system, an elected government and a Constitutional monarchy, effectively limiting powers enjoyed by the ruling Al-Sabah family.

"I think that the Kuwaiti Constitution is incomplete. It is time to re-write the Constitution and various legislation," independent candidate Yussef Al-Badah told an election rally.

Two experts highlight media role in democratization 

1/29/2012

KUWAIT- Two Arab media celebrities, Dr. Hassan Makki and Adel Darwish, agreed Sunday that the mass media play a great role in the democratic transition and educating the people on the democratic practices and freedoms.

Addressing a symposium, held by the information center of the 2012 National Assembly elections under the theme of "Media and Democracy" here, Dr. Mkki, professor of media at Kuwait University, said: "Media and democracy have complementary features, the common denominator of both is the concept of freedom." "Freedom is determined by the authorities which determines the margin of freedoms, thereby controlling the free movement of mass media in conveying the true picture of events. These authorities include the economic interest groups, " he pointed out.

"The revolution of information and communication technology played a great role in the social networking and view sharing nowadays which, in turn, facilitated the flow of information especially those relating to democracy and civil freedoms," Dr. Makki noted.

"Different views are now exchanged through outlets other than the traditional government-controlled mass media. The unconventional media outlets focus not only on social networking but on sharing intellectual, cultural, political and economic contents as well," he went on.

Dealing with the coming legislative elections, Dr. Makki said there could be correct democratic practices only when there is free media which offers a chance for all voters to know about the platforms of candidates and elect the best of them.

"A free media is the key to democratization and true democracy has to protect the freedom of the press," he added.

On his part, Darwish, a writer and political analyst, said the press has to offer a quality content for the audience otherwise it could be cheating them.

"The growing number of media outlets creates conditions conducive to competitiveness and improvement of the quality of the content," he said.

Darwish added that the mass media shoulders a great responsibility in raising public awareness about elections and democracy whether directly or indirectly while vying for the attention of audience.

23 women among 286 candidates in Kuwait's parliamentary elections

January 26, 2012

Manama: Kuwait's electoral commission on Thursday said that 286 candidates would run in the parliamentary elections next week.

The final figure was announced hours after the January 25 deadline given to those who wished to pull out of the race for the 50 seats in the parliament.

The figure includes 23 women who will seek to improve the record of four women who made history in 2009 after they became the first women to be elected.

The Third Constituency has the highest number of contenders at 67, followed by the First Constituency with 62, the Second Constituency with 61. The Fourth Constituency was fourth with 49, two more than the Fifth Constituency.

The Commission said that 398 people had signed up their names to run in the elections, 80 from each the First Constituency and the Second Constituency, 84 from the Third Constituency, 76 from the Fourth Constituency and 78 from the Fifth Constituency.

However, 108 opted out of the race over the three-week period accorded under the elections law. The Fifth Constituency had the highest pullout with 29, followed by the Fourth Constituency with 27, the Second Constituency with 19, the First Constituency with 17 and the Third Constituency with 16.

Four candidates had their hopes shattered after they were barred from running in the quadrennial elections. Two were from the Fifth Constituency, one from the First Constituency and another from the Third Constituency.

Around 400,000 Kuwaitis are scheduled to cast their ballots on February 2 to elect their 50 representatives. Kuwait has the oldest parliament in the region, but its open clashes with the government have resulted in its dissolution on seven occasions and in calls for new elections.

The latest dissolution was announced on December 5, 2011, three years and a half after it was elected on May 16, 2008. Jassem Al Kharafi, its outgoing Speaker, is not running in the elections.

Sorting ballots will take around four hours: Justice Ministry official

29 January 2012

KUWAIT: Ministry of Justice Assistant Undersecretary Abdulaziz Al-Majid announced that the sorting the ballot boxes will take around four hours to finalize, and which will be done by each committee assigned.

Al-Majid noted that the number of judges participating in the process is totaled at around 800. He explained that each judge will be counting the votes and will ensure that they are compatible with the list in the possession of the Ministry of Interior. It will be also compared with the list in the possession of the candidates' representatives prior to the sorting out of the ballot box.

The Assistant Undersecretary added that the junior judges will then pass the results to senior judges, who in turn will pass it to the judges in the main committees in order to announce the final results.

"The judge needs to state in the Sorting-out Memo that he ends every counting for every fifty votes, so that the process of counting would be easier and practical. It also makes it easy to write down whatever notes needed. In the event there are also some objections to the counts, the judge may easily refer to the observation instantly," he remarked in regards to the process itself.

He added that the junior judge answers to the senior judge who in turn has the dual functions; the first of which is to sort out the ballot box, and secondly to go to the main committee which is usually located in a different location. Al-Majid noted that the role of the main committee is to collect all results for the constituencies and then announce the final results.

Meanwhile, Al-Majid said that there was a close and on-going collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and other state departments in regards to this year's elections, adding that he, in his capacity as Ministry of Justice Assistant Undersecretary, has been assigned to Election Committee formed by the Cabinet and chaired by the Ministry of Interior.

The committee also consists of ministries of justice, education, municipality, finance as well as the ministry of interior. He added that the ministry's job began when the decree was made. He also said that the committee is assigned with administrative duties, provides rest rooms, catering for judges and sealing off boxes.

Furthermore, Al-Majid highlighted another technical committee which is regarded assigned to carry out checks in all schools. This committee, he noted, was under the supervision of legal consultant Nabeel Al-Rabia and Al-Majid. The committee is also in charge of holding meetings organizing spaces were the elections are to be held.

Government team to monitor, record election symposiums

28 January 2012

KUWAIT: A government source disclosed that a special government team was charged to follow up on all discussions in the different electoral symposiums held. The team will especially follow up on discussions regarding senior political figures, judiciary, that may undermine national unity or any other issues or discussions that may contribute in affecting Kuwaiti-Gulf ties. The source affirmed that while the government respects freedom of expression, candidates should be aware of 'red lines' and not cross them when discussing certain issues regarding senior politicians or judiciary. The government team will record what happens in the symposiums. Recorded footage will be viewed later to determine whether speakers violated regulations and to refer them to prosecution if they did. Adding that, people who accuse speakers of violation without evidence will also be referred to public prosecution. Additionally, the Minister of Interior will submit a detailed report about the progress of the electoral process in Sunday's session (tomorrow) in addition to the reports that ministry has already received about vote-buying cases from the Supreme Election Commission and Transparency Society. The report will also highlight procedures the ministry will endorse to assure conducting fair parliamentary elections. The minister will submit another report about preparations of the security apparatuses to facilitate the task of conducting elections and preventing any vote-buying attempts. On the other hand, the lists of candidates in the fourth electoral constituency and the fifth completed an agreement on vote-change wherein certain voters swore to vote for specific candidate according to the agreement. For his part, former MP and candidate of the third electoral constituency Ahmad Al-Saadoun called for altering the law and to allow announcing political parties. The candidate of the third constituency Saleh Al-Mullah said that Kuwaiti citizens started doubting some Judiciary sentences therefore there is a need to restore trust in the judiciary through regulations parliament adopts.

No obstructions equal swift vote count -- Justice Undersec. 

1/27/2012

KUWAIT-- Vote count would last for a short period of four hours, as in the case of the 2009 National Assembly elections, if no obstructions occurred during the process, said Undersecretary the Ministry of Justice Abdulaziz Al-Majed here Friday.

Al-Majed told KUNA that vote count would occur in main and sub elections committees in five constituencies, adding that the committees' heads would be tasked to count the votes according to agreed on regulations.

The official noted that the Justice Ministry and other government entities were coordinating in their efforts for the 2012 elections, revealing that such coordination was extended to the operation of elections committees in charge of receiving and counting votes.

He pointed out that there were 800 judges partaking in the activities of 546 election committees dedicated for the elections.

Shiites tipped to win six seats – The road to National Assembly

KUWAIT: Kuwaitis head to the ballot boxes to elect the fourth National Assembly since May 2006 in one of the most politically turbulent periods since parliamentary democracy was introduced in 1962. Here’s a look at the main contests in the five constituencies by highlighting the main political groups and leading candidates. First Constituency- Main areas: Sharq, Dasma, Daiya, Shaab, Rumeithiya, Salmiya, Meshref, Bayan and Salwa. – Voters: It has a total of 71,146 voters with 38,350 (53.9 percent) females and 32,796 males or 46.1 percent.

The first electoral district is unique in its voter distribution with sectarian factors expected to play a major role on the outcome of the elections with the voters divided almost equally between Shiites and Sunnis. But in 2009 elections, seven Shiite MPs out of 10 won seats in a major surprise that made analysts busy trying to figure out reasons. In the previous elections of 2008, there were five winners from each community which is the normal outcome expected as voters tend to vote on sectarian lines. Due to the regional sectarian tensions over Syria and Bahrain, sectarian tensions have grown rapidly in the country and this was evident from the election campaign and from the political speeches by various candidates.

Shiite voters are about 33,000-34,000 while Sunnis are 37,000 to 38,000. Shiites are divided on mostly political lines with almost all political groupings active in the Shiite community fielding candidates, mainly the National Islamic Alliance and the Peace and Justice group. Sunni voters consist of three major components: urbanists who form the largest group but are scattered in political affiliations, the tribe of Awazem which controls around 10,000 voters and the Kundari family which has several thousand voters.

As a result of its sectarian division, almost all political religious groups have candidates but at the same time a strong liberal powerbase also exists that in the past voted MPs to parliament. The Salaf Islamic Alliance and the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) are fielding a candidate each, Mohammad Al-Kundari and Osama Al-Shaheen but several Salaf and ICM candidates are running as independents like Mohammad Al-Rasheed, Fahad Al-Masoud and Adel Al-Damkhi, who are expected to draw a considerable number of votes from the official candidates.

Several candidates are running from the Awazem tribe but without any tribal elections. These include Wasmi Al-Wasmi, Mubarak Al-Harees, former minister and MP Abdullah Al-Muhailbi and former MP Mukhled Al-Azemi. Besides the Salaf candidate Mohammad Al-Kundari, another candidate from the Kundari family Issa Al-Kundari is contesting and is expected to gain a percentage from the family votes.

The liberal Kuwait Democratic Forum is fielding Ahmad Al-Obaid, but liberal candidate Wasmi Al-Wasmi is expected to make a strong showing since he is expected to win many votes from his Awazem tribe. Two of three Sunni ex-MPs are running; Abdullah Al-Roumi and Mukhled Al-Azemi while Hussein Al-Huraiti did not register. On the Shiite front, six of the seven ex-MPs are contesting after the withdrawal of Youssef Al-Zalzalah apparently over his alleged involvement in the corruption scandal.

They are: Hussein Al-Qallaf, Adnan Abdulsamad, Maasouma Al-Mubarak, Saleh Ashour, Faisal Al-Duwaisan and Hassan Jowhar. All but Jowhar supported the former prime minister and were the main opponents of the opposition. The National Islamic Alliance, the main Shiite group in Kuwait, is fielding Abdulsamad and former MP Ahmad Lari, while the rest are running on their own. Hardline Shiite activists Abdulhameed Dashti, Khaled Al-Shatti and Jaleel Al-Tabbakh are running.

No election alliances had been announced among the Shiites, but is believed that some kind of coordination is ongoing. The key to success depends on the turnout according to experts. If turnout among Sunnis increases in this election, their candidates will bag at least half of the 10 seats but if they stay home, Shiites are expected to retain the seven seats or win at least six seats because their turnout is normally high. Based on unofficial polls, Shiites are tipped to win six seats and Sunnis four, but it was leaked that four Sunni candidates including veteran Abdullah Al-Roumi have formed a secret alliance and if true, it will boost their chances considerably.

Under Kuwaiti election system, voters are allowed to cast a maximum of four votes for four different candidates but they can cast less. The 10 candidates are expected to be among the following: Abdullah Al-Roumi, Osama Al-Shaheen, Mohammad Al-Kundari, Wasmi Al-Wasmi, Anwar Al-Dahoum, Mubarak Al-Harees, Maasouma Al-Mubarak, Adnan Abdulsamad, Ahmad Lari, Hussein Al-Qallaf, Faisal Al-Duwaisan and Saleh Ashour. Khaled Al-Shatti and Abdulhameed Dashti also have chances.

Ghanim blasts ‘nouveau politicos’

KUWAIT: Former MP and second constituency candidate Marzouq Al-Ghanim said that a strong state cannot be built by a divided people. “We’ll never allow Kuwait to be divided,” he warned, noting that there were no such people as ‘blue-blooded people’. He also stressed that the youth movements should not be used for sectarianism.

Criticizing the government’s development plan, Ghanim urged the next government to come forward with a real executable projects and ideas. “This phase in our history is very critical and calls for wise selection of the right minds to represent the voters in parliament”, he stressed. Reviewing his achievements as the former lawmaker, Al-Ghanim said that he had taken part in various grilling motions and parliamentary committees. Al-Ghanim also addressed what he described as ‘nouveau-politicians’ who are “still green on the knowledge of constitution” and accused them of having ‘grey attitudes’, noting that a fierce opposition MP did not necessarily need to be rude.

Meanwhile, former municipal council member Jasser Al-Jasser said that the reason behind his complaint against former MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun was to expose how he abused his authority by renting his property to the state. “Those funds should be retrieved,” he said, noting that Saadoun did not respect the law or the constitution. The third constituency candidate also slammed Saadoun’s 44-year long parliamentary career. “He pretended to be the constitution’s godfather for over 40 years and ended up filing an unconstitutional interpellation,” he said.

Kuwaiti parliamentary hopefuls urge judicial reform, "oil surplus"

1/24/2012

KUWAIT- A Third Constituency candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary elections called Monday for reforming the judicial authority by enacting a fresh bill that could ensure judicial independence.

Launching his parliamentary campaign, Saleh Al-Mulla emphasized that the Kuwaiti judicial body should enjoy full independence so that they should not be subject to any kind of restrictions whatsoever.

He also emphasized that Kuwait's oil, which is the sole source of national income, should be effectively exploited, calling for setting up a permanent committee for the purpose.

"There is a dire need for the coming government to reverse the way the State is run," he added.

Another Third Constituency hopeful called for achieving social justice and ensuring equal opportunities to all Kuwaiti citizens as per the Kuwaiti Constitution.

Mohammad Taleb, addressing his supporters, said: "Justice, freedom and quality are enshrined in Article Seven of the Kuwaiti Constitution." "People are equal in view of dignity. They are also equal in the eye of law, " he said.

He also stressed the significance of speeding up the execution of planned national development projects, and ensuring full judicial independence.

For his part, Medghash Al-Hajri, a candidate for the Second Constituency, called for investing the financial surplus of oil earnings in development, investment and public services in the country.

He also urged the establishment of an integrated medical city where efficient medics are employed to provide better services at hospitals and clinics.

Uncontrollably surging food prices ought to be curbed by enacting a package of laws aiming to protect consumers and to reactivate control agencies, he said.

Another Third Constituency candidate urged concerted efforts to flesh out a fresh vision for the National Assembly to overcome challenges ahead and to live up to major responsibilities.

Speaking to his supporters while opening his campaign, Fawaz Al-Shaibani said: "The National Assembly needs effective deputies who can shoulder responsibilities and meet challenges ahead in order to address dossiers and issues that concern the nation and citizens." He listed priorities for the next period as reshaping political vision, observing the rule of law, ensuring social justice, cutting joblessness and fighting corruption.

He also called for separation among state authorities, full judicial independence and better educational and health services.

Khudhair Al-Enezi, a Fourth Constituency hopeful, emphasized that genuine efforts should be exerted to support comprehensive development through political consensus and stability.

He voiced optimism that the next general elections due on February 2nd would come up with a parliament that can really defend citizens' rights.

He believed that the political situation in Kuwait is in dire need of a real reconciliation among the government, parliament, citizens and political forces.

"The government should present a clear-cut program of action with a schedule as a roadmap for the coming stage," requested Daifullah Au Ramia of the Fourth Constituency.

He also urged the government to work hard to ensure a clean and transparent electoral process by warning candidates not to say or do anything that could undermine social fabric.

The hopeful vowed to do his best, should he win, to set out practical solutions for many issues and problems, primarily loans, health services, education and housing.

Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, a candidate for the Second Constituency, sounded the alarm about Kuwait's reliance upon oil as the only source of its national income.

Launching his campaign, he said Kuwait's 95 percent of revenues come out of oil and four percent out of customs duties and just one percent out of charges and traffic fines.

Regarding employment, he called on the private sector to play a role in resolving unemployment by providing jobs to Kuwaiti youth.

A Second Constituency candidate said a new independent development authority should be created in order to follow up on the implementation of Kuwait's planned development projects.

Addressing his supporters, Mohammad Al-Mutairi said he would do his utmost to have a relevant law adopted in the coming parliament.

He also called for passing a law on cementing and beefing up national unity, fighting administrative corruption and revising legal articles that run counter to the development drive.

The candidate underlined the significance of boosting political, social and economic empowerment for individual and society, and backing efforts to transfer Kuwaiti into a regional financial and commercial hub.

For his part, Saud Al-Samaka, a Third Constituency hopeful emphasized that the constitution should be put into consideration while applying laws.

He urged the government to play its due role in maintaining and safeguarding national and individual interests and wiping out corruption decisively.

He also stressed the significance of respecting human dignity and equality, saying that all people are equal in rights and duties.

Finally, Rashed Al-Hubeida, a Second Constituency candidate, applauded His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's recent decision to dissolve the National Assembly, which he said fended off a "looming crisis" in the country.

Echoing other candidates' call for fighting corruption, he told a rally backing him that it is a shared responsibility for everyone in Kuwait to fight corruption, which he said is a perilous scourge.

He called on cabinet ministers and officials to equally treat citizens with a view to achieving equality and justice in the country.

He also emphasized that gender equality should be ensured in all fields, especially regarding housing loans. Prospective members of parliament are required to present reports showing their properties in order to give a message of reassurance to the people, he said.

"I'll be the first one to make a financial disclosure, should I get to the parliament," he promised.

Kuwait has historic experience in democracy - experts 

1/23/2012

BEIRUT- The State of Kuwait has historic experience in democracy and political openness which other countries lack, Lebanese experts said Monday.

Abdo Saad, head of Beirut Center for Research and Information, said "Kuwait has a rich history in democracy, it is one of the pioneering Arab countries, and since the creation of the state, with a real political action.

"There is no ultimate ruler in Kuwait but rather a kind of partnership, and it is the only country in the Arab world if we excluded Lebanon," he told KUNA in an interview.

Saad said Kuwait was "very advanced" in terms of democracy because there was a high degree of scrutiny by the parliament.

This political action, he added, prevented Kuwait from many conflicts like the ones that occurred in some Arab countries, in addition to having a "well-respected constitution." "In other countries, there is totalitarianism and supppression of minorities which does not exist in Kuwait. The country enjoys wide freedom ... ," he said.

Executive Manager of the Arab Development NGOs Network, Zeyad Abdulsamad, said the political regime in Kuwait was quite opened.

The upcoming elections in Kuwait, due on February 2, would be held on the heels of a dissolved parliament "which paves way for the (new) National Assembly to honor aspirations of the people," Abdulsamad told KUNA.

Democracy and elections in Kuwait will spare the country from political conflicts, he noted.

The Arab network for democratic elections, in a report about the Kuwaiti elections, said logistic and administrative preparations were in line with international standards.

It said Kuwaiti laws were forbidding buying of votes, using money of unions to fund campaigns, security stability and lack of riots.

Kuwait poll reflects respect of freedoms, rights

LONDON: Two lawmakers from the United Kingdom praised the Kuwaiti democracy and its unique political experience, which is highly respected all over the world, saying the polls reflect the country’s respect of freedom of expression and human rights. Labour MP Khalid Mahmoud and Baroness Emma Harriet Nicholson of Winterbourne from the Liberal Democrats party agreed in interviews that the Kuwaiti people should take pride in their achievements and democratic heritage.

Head of the British-Kuwaiti Parliamentary Friendship Society in House of Commons MP Khalid Mahmoud expressed his great relief over the running of new parliamentary elections in Kuwait. Kuwait was and still is a leading democracy in the Arab World, and its political and social developments should be an example for other nations in the region, he said.

The changes and demands of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ have long been addressed in Kuwait, due to the ruler’s high statesmanship and their understanding and appreciation of peoples’ temperaments and young generations’ demands and expectations. The political leaderships in the Arab World should understand that democracy does not function properly without truly seeking to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the people of the region.

Baroness Nicholson meanwhile expected Kuwaiti voters to cast their votes with enthusiasm and to take great care to discern the best representative who would serve their homeland in the next parliament formation. The official praised deep-rooted friendly ties between Kuwait and the UK, and noted both nations had opted for a monarch system with a strong cabinet that practice its prerogatives within democratic frameworks with elected parliament members. The baroness expressed interest and a wish to visit Kuwait soon to get a closer look at the performance of the new parliament.

Hopeful hails National Assembly dissolution

KUWAIT: A Fourth Constituency candidate for the coming parliamentary elections applauded yesterday His Highness the Amir’s decision “to go back to the nation”, referring to the parliament dissolution and early elections. Launching his campaign for the general polls due on Feb 2, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Shammari sadi: “HH the Amir’s decision to go back to the nation has taken the country out of its political crisis.”

He urged Kuwaiti voters to carefully select their prospective members of parliament who can really lead the country to genuine development. He called on everybody in the country to help preclude anything that could mar the electoral process, and to set Kuwait’s national interest a top priority. The Kuwaiti candidate wished that the forthcoming general polls could produce a parliament that would work hard to fulfill the expectations and hopes of the Kuwaiti people.

Meanwhile, candidate of the Third Constituency, Yousef Arti, affirmed necessity to bestow opportunities for youth to partake in all fields for a better future. The importance of the next phase is to eliminate corruption in all its forms, and rely on youths, for they are the future of Kuwait, Arti said in a press statement.

He also stressed on significance of health, which is the wellbeing of the mind, as well as the importance of hospitals, staff, medicines and equipment. The private sector plays a vital role in achieving the goals of economic development, Arti pointed out. He called for adherence to the principle of citizenship as basis of equality in rights and duties among Kuwaitis, regardless of the religion, race and sex.

Arti confirmed that his priorities are to focus on the rule of law, confront corruption and to enhance governmental services. Corruption in all its forms threatens the Kuwaiti society, he said, and called to review the election law.