Kuwaitis ask for reform to establish democracy
Kuwait, Politics, 12/12/2003

The Kuwaitis, following the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein which ever threatened their country, are seeking to work strongly to make deep political changes to establish democracy in this country.

Kuwaiti parliamentarians, government employees, and ministers, launched a campaign in order to amend the elections law in order to limit political corruption, according to several parliamentarians. However, the ultimate objective of the campaign is political change and economic reforms.

Deputy speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament Mashari al-Anqari explained that the current international and regional conditions surrounding Kuwait, especially following the collapse of the regime in Iraq, makes it imperative on us to come up with a contemporary elections law that will contribute to building a national council ( parliament) that is able to cope with the political, economic and social development in the country.

Forr his part, the Kuwaiti parliamentarian Ahmad Abdul Aziz al-Sadoun who presided over the parliament for three times, and is leading this campaign, said in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, that "talking about amendment is for the purpose of having reforms and limiting corruption." He, a parliamentarian in the nation council since 30 years ago, added that the public wants the amendment and that there are ministers supporting it."

The new parliament in Kuwait which is composed of 50 members, and enjoys genuine legislative authorities, was elected in July during a voting process in which the liberal and Islamic opposition witnessed a decrease in the number of parliaments in favor of candidates close to the government and the independents.

The parliamentarians consider that the current division of the country to 25 election circles encourage the operation of vote buying, and other forms of corruption, and enhance ethnic and sectarian attitudes that obstruct democracy.

The parliamentarian proposed draft bills to give military men the right to vote and reduce the eligible age for voting from 21 to 18 year old. The government also wants to give women the right to vote. Should all these draft bills be approved, the number of eligible voters will increase three folds in Kuwait. A number estimated currently of 130,000 Kuwaitis.

Previous Stories:
  al-Anbaa: Al-Jafaari: Kuwait agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Iraq   (12/10/2003)
  Jordan FM postpones visit to Kuwait, Amman denies a crisis   (12/10/2003)
  Kuwait welcomes Moussa's participation in the GCC summit   (12/9/2003)

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