With the elections quickly approaching, anticipation as well as tensions have grown on the Kuwaiti streets, with many people still leading the charge on the appeal to boycotting on one hand, while equally a great number still insist on the importance of voting, referring to the upcoming elections as a celebration of democracy. Pro-government voters and candidates alike have continuously reiterated that while it is an inalienable right to boycott elections, this however does not affect the inalienable right to vote itself, and that the legitimacy of the elections still stand.
Nasser Al-Merri, candidate in the 5th Constituency and investment expert, stated that he expects these polls to be historical, and a major landmark in Kuwait’s history, marking H.H. the Amir’s triumph. “I expect that the next parliament will be a youthful parliament with many new faces working towards ensuring Kuwait’s future. Furthermore, it will be empty of external agendas, as well as tribal and sectarian ones, and the only agenda that will be a priority will be Kuwait.
“This parliament will be recorded in history as the parliament of progress and accomplishment for the next four years, and will work towards the improvement of the social and political life of all Kuwaitis.” Regarding those who are opposed to the elections, he stated, “This is a democracy first and foremost. People have a right to partake in the elections or not to partake as they please. Just as boycotting is a right, so to is voting, and in the end I am sure people will partake and do what is right for the country.”
However, there are many who foresee a very different outcome of events, and hopes are still high that the turnout for these elections will be low; though how this will affect the situation is unclear. Renowned political and women’s rights activist Lulwa Al-Mulla, stated that she is personally boycotting the elections for various personal reasons, and that she predicts that the upcoming parliament will be a very ineffective one, and moreover an ill-reputed one, with a bad reputation that surpasses that of the notorious National Council that was elected in 1990.
Full Article: Kuwait- Tensions rise as elections near – MENAFN.
