By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Kuwait is preparing for its sixth round of parliamentary elections in seven years after the Constitutional Court ruled that the parliament’s election in December was unconstitutional based on procedural grounds. The cabinet held an emergency meeting after the country’s top court announced its decision.
“At an extraordinary meeting . . . the cabinet approved a draft decree setting July 25th as the date for parliamentary elections,” Cabinet Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Mubarak al-Sabah told Kuwait’s state-run Kuna news agency on Thursday.
Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah is expected to officially announce the decree as he has final say in all state matters. The emir also appoints the prime minister, who in turn has the authority to appoint cabinet members, many of whom are members of Al-Sabah family.
The decree will pit the emir and the Western-backed government against the opposition which includes the Popular Action Bloc, and other liberal and Islamist parties. Although political parties are illegal in Kuwait, the constitution does not prohibit them.
The court ruled the December parliamentary results invalid after a total boycott of the elections by the opposition parties. The opposition parties opposed a controversial new law, which forced voters to choose only one candidate. Voters were previously allowed choose four candidates.
The court upheld the controversial new law, which resulted in protesters flooding the streets of Kuwait City. The opposition parties believe that the new law makes it easier for the government to interfere with elections results and promotes the interests of the ruling party.
Kuwait provides its people more political freedom than most gulf states despite the emir’s ultimate authority. The people have the power to elect the parliament which creates laws and can hold government officials accountable.
The snap election will continue a line of political turmoil that has lasted since 2006. The turn over and lack of consistency in government has resulted in the delay of important economic reform and infrastructure development in the oil-rich gulf state.
For further information, please see:
ABC – Kuwait Schedules July 25 Parliamentary Election – 20 June 2013
Al Jazeera – Kuwait sets date for elections – 20 June 2013
BBC – Kuwait cabinet calls snap election on July 25 – 20 June 2013
Kuwait News Agency – Cabinet calls for new elections July 25, 2013 – 20 June 2013
Reuters – Kuwait to hold snap parliamentary election on July 25 – 20 June 2013
