Kuwaiti law permits woman to take part in municipal elections
Kuwait, Politics, 10/13/2003

The Kuwaiti government approved a draft law offering woman the right to voting and to be a candidate to the elections of the municipal council.

The draft resolution requires the consent of the parliament and also to be ratified by Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. The draft resolution also stated the possibility of appointing woman in the council which is composed of 16 persons, of whom the government appoints six.

The municipal council does not enjoy any legislative authorities and the elections are held for 10 seats every four year, the same period as for the parliament.

The Kuwaiti nation council ( Parliament) had rejected an Amiri decree allowing woman the right to vote and to be nominated for the parliament. But the government vowed to re- discuss amending the elections law immediately after the resumption of the legislative session on this October 26th.

The Kuwaiti political factions opposing granting woman political rights enjoy a vast people and parliament majority in Kuwait. This trend is represented in most of the Islamists from their various aggregations and the tribal factions. Moreover, members of the Ummah council who do not belong to these groups face voters threats to cast non confidence, if they support this issue.

Previous Stories:
  Sabah al-Ahmad government: woman's rights is beginning of al-Islah fight   (7/21/2003)
  On Kuwait's women's rights for participating in the elections   (7/8/2003)
  Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad and the Kuwaiti woman   (7/8/2003)

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