Kuwaiti Parliament Reforms Legislative Election Process
July 20, 2006

Kuwait's parliament signaled a further step toward democracy as it approved a key electoral reform bill. The vote was also expected to ease unstable relations between the government and Parliament.

The bill, still pending the approval of the emir of Kuwait, will cut the number of constituencies from 25 to five. As a result of the bill, the number of voters in the five constituencies will range from about 38,000 to 90,000 voters. Under the new constituency arrangement, each of the five districts will elect 10 Members of Parliament (MPs) compared to 2 in the previous system.

The election reform bill, supported by the current Parliament’s opposition parties, is aimed at reducing corruption. Opposition candidates alleged the previous election system promoted corruption and vote-buying because the number of voters in some constituencies was too small (about 5,000 and 31,000 voters). Consequently, the new measure seeks to reduce electoral corruption and lead to the election of more qualified MPs.

Several MPs who voted for the bill, however, expressed some reservations because it neglects justice and equality between all Kuwaitis due to the unfair voter distribution. “No one in the chamber is opposed to the five constituencies, but there are differences about the geographic (voter) distribution,” MP Saleh Ashour said. Islamist deputy Khdair Al-Enezi, however, pointed out that the bill represents the first step toward wider political reforms and encouraged a single constituency in order to achieve true equality in Kuwait.

Analysts and MPs predict the new legislation, if approved, will help to legalize political parties in Kuwait, which are still outlawed by the government. Even though political parties are illegal, the Islamist Ummah was established last year, and several Islamist and liberal groups function freely in Kuwait.

In addition, the Minister of Information, Mohammad Sanoussi, promoted Kuwait’s commitment to democracy and freedom of speech by referencing the 2006 national assembly elections. Sanoussi said the constitution has guaranteed Kuwaitis the right of freedom of speech and it has helped to prepare for elections.

Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, makes the final decision on most government policies and he is likely to approve this electoral reform bill, commenting after the results of Parliament’s vote, “All thanks go to the National Assembly ... the Cabinet extends its arms in full cooperation to the parliament.”

Sources

“Kuwait Passes Election Reform Law,” BBC News, 7/17/06

“‘Five’ is law … MPs pass constituency bill; Nod to interest relief on pension debt,” The Arab Times Online, 7/17/06

“We Got it Five!” Kuwait Times, 7/17/06

“NA approved draft law for redrawing electoral constituencies to five,” Kuwait News Agency, 7/17/06

“Kuwaiti Minister Affirms Adherence to Democracy, Freedom of Speech,” Kuwait News Agency, 6/17/06