Kuwait sets parliamentary elections for February 2
Kuwaitis will go to the polls on February 2 to elect a new parliament, the government spokesman said yesterday. Candidates for the new parliament will start signing up today, Ahmad Al Mulaif said following the weekly cabinet session.
The date was announced two weeks after the Emir, Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, dissolved the parliament following the resignation of the government led by Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad. The dissolution and the resignation were key demands of the Kuwaiti opposition to help address a political crisis that deeply affected the country.
The situation was compounded by reports about a financial scandal and allegations that large sums of money were deposited in the accounts of at least 13 Members of Parliament to influence their voting. The issue was used by the opposition to pile up pressure on the government.
The outgoing parliament made history in the country by having four women lawmakers. Kuwaitis will be eagerly waiting to see if the feat will be repeated or even improved in elections where tribal affiliations remain a strong success factor.
The government has tasked the Kuwait Transparency Society to monitor the election procedure for the 14th legislative body and to cooperate with the information and interior ministries to reinforce transparency and honesty.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-sets-parliamentary-elections-for-february-2-1.953406
