PM Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak:

“Let our motto be ‘development and construction, first and foremost.”

In the Kuwait election the turnout was about 60 per cent one hour before the close, already higher than the 58 per cent recorded in 2009 election. Female voters make up 54 percent of the electorate, and 23 women were among 286 candidates standing for the 50 seat legislative body. The snap poll took place after Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved parliament and form a new government headed by Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak.

The Kuwaiti opposition scored an election victory by securing 34 of the 50 member National Assembly, one more than the required absolute majority to dictate terms.

The government and its supporters lost places with Shiites winning seven seats down from nine, liberals reduced to just two from at least five in the previous National Assembly and pro-government around five MPs from as many as 15. No women were elected to the new house compared to four in the previous assembly when women made history by winning seats in the assembly. Analysts have attributed the women loss to the female lawmakers’ blind support of the government.

The Amir sent congratulatory cables to Winners

H.H the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent congratulatory cables to winners of the National Assembly’s elections, hoping that they would do their best to serve the country and its people.  H.H the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and H.H Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables.

The Prime Minister Sheikh

Jaber Mubarak

The Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said “I come to my post with the desire to see real and tangible accomplishments, for I know very well this is what the people want since I live among them and share their joys and woes. I shall therefore focus on realizing goals in record time. As for the opposition, I say ‘you are welcome to express your views’ and the final say is that of the Kuwaiti people.” On the relationship between parliament and government, H.H remarked, “let us be optimistic. And, I declare anew, through your publication, that I am extending my hand to cooperate with MPs of all affiliations and persuasions, with no exception.

H.H stressed, “let our motto be ‘development and construction, first and foremost.’” Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak was also asked about the new cabinet formation said: “There shall be a major reshuffle, yes. I shall do my best to nominate qualified people who have shown good understanding and appreciation of facts on the ground, regardless of their own identities and backgrounds and regardless of criteria such as tribe or religious belief or position.”

H.H the Prime Minister expressed hope that the government and new parliament would be bound with “positive relationship.” Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak expressed hope that past files of disputes would be folded. “We look forward to extending a hand of cooperation, sincere intentions and mutual cooperation to make up for what has been missed for sake of future of Kuwait and its people so it may enjoy permanent spring,” HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said.

The Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali

Information Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali-Al-Sabah expressed hope that the new parliament would undertake the task of accomplishing achievements and boosting development.

Sheikh Hamad, speaking during a tour of information centers and the main information center, said, “We hope that members of the assembly would aim at realizing higher interests of the country and serving the people.” He also expressed wish the legislators would work in harmony with the executive authority for service of “serious national action.” “On this blessed day, we draw inspiration from glories of the ancestors who enacted the fourth Kuwaiti Constitution and established the National Assembly in 1962 so that Kuwait would be blessed with democracy and rank among advanced nations,” the minister stated on the occasion of the polling day that crowned marathon campaigning by 286 candidates, vying for seats in the 50-member National Assembly (Parliament).

Various tasks lie ahead for the upcoming lawmakers and executives, namely utility, health and housing projects, the minister stated.

“Upcoming phase warrants that we all work hand in hand, placing interest of Kuwait above our heads, requirements of our people in our hearts, justice and equality among objectives of the state strategy and full-scale development plans for present and future Kuwait,” Sheikh Hamad added.

Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, attached great importance to the local and foreign media in order to perform their role and function in the coverage of the Kuwaiti National Assembly elections events, without any constraints. The ministry provided all the ways to realize the desired success, through the establishment of a media center to facilitate the work of various media in performing their function, and transferring the experience of democracy in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people’s participation in the celebrations of national elections in 2012.

MP Al-Rashid condemns violence, supports government

Member of Parliament (MP) Ali Al-Rashid said that the “culture of violence” witnessed by Kuwait is the result of some proposals and views which are call for inciting the public during elections. In regard to attacking Al Watan TV, Al-Rashid, said “we reject attacks in general. We are living in a state of law and institutions. We hope that the law will be applied on all”. In response to claims that the Parliament will not survive for a long time because of its formation, Al-Rashid said “the people elected their representatives. We must respect their choices. We appeal to everyone to cooperate with the Parliament in order to push forward the wheel of development and protect the country from evils.” Al-Rashid thanked the people of Kuwait in general and those from his constituency in particular for supporting him. He vowed to maintain his previous situations. He added: “Some people attack me because I support the government. I say it loudly “I support the government of Kuwait. It is not an insult to be a supporter of the government of Kuwait. But if the government failed, we will put it back on track”. Al-Rashid said that people may differ with each other over certain issues; however, no one should question the patriotism of others. “Everyone seeks the best interests of Kuwait, but they differ over the way to address the problems of the country,” he added. Al-Rashid stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities in order to meet the aspirations of citizens. He added that no achievements can be made without the cooperation of the two authorities.

Kuwait adopted democracy early in

its history: French politician

Democracy was adopted early in Kuwait’s history and is by now a rich and strong practice, said Spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry Bernard Valero in remarks to media, in comment over the recent parliamentary elections. Valero noted the sixth article of the Kuwaiti Constitution, which states that “The System of Government in Kuwait shall be democratic, under which sovereignty resides in the people, the source of all powers.” He said the country embraced this stipulation from early on and continued on this path. “The ongoing political debate in Kuwait seems to be rich and important, considering the number and variety of issues and would-be representatives. The active and notable presence of youth and of women is also a sign of a political and democratic process which is livelier than ever.” The spokesman remarked that the themes in the candidates’ campaigns were in their majority very encouraging and worthy. There was due stress on national unity, fighting corruption, realistic argument in public debates and discussions, “and we all noticed the stress on shunning focus on narrow affiliations, whether social or religious, with stress ‘we are all Kuwaitis’.” Noting the 50th anniversary of adoption of the Kuwaiti Constitution, the official said, “it is up to Kuwaitis themselves to assess their development in this regard, and we could only say we are pleased with the lively elections held earlier this month.”

The Undersecretary

Mohammad Alawash, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information Assistant for the radio Affairs and president of the Media Center to cover the National Assembly elections, announced that the Ministry has trained more than 1,150 reporters and delegates from the Ministry’s staff and outside to cover the elections in the five constituencies, adding that they was deployed to 564 sub and original committee in every districts to cover the Democratic event.

Alawash said that the ministry has called more than 120 Arab and foreign journalists representing different media views to cover the elections and to participate in activities hosted by the Media Center.

This year, the Kuwaiti parliamentary elections enjoyed fair, impartial and professional media coverage, to reflect the Amir supreme speech to improve citizens’ choice to their representatives in parliament.