KUWAIT CITY: The oil-rich Gulf state of Kuwait is holding its eighth general election in a little more than 10 years on Tuesday, as political unrest there continues to undermine prospects for economic development.
In an effort to boost turnout, the authorities have plastered the capital with posters out of concern that widespread distrust may prevent many people from voting.
The emir called the most recent general election last month after dissolving parliament once more due to an ongoing impasse with the executive branch that has halted reforms.
Kuwait adopted a parliamentary system in 1962, but throughout the years, a series of political crises left the country in a condition of stagnation.
The Al-Sabah family, who are now in power and have a powerful hold over politics, frequently clash with elected MPs in the emirate.
Concerning the political situation, activist and university lecturer Sheikha al-Jassem told AFP, “We have to wake up and face up to this great frustration.”
Kuwait, one of the biggest crude oil producers in the world, is the only country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament with the authority to hold the administration accountable.
After the previous cabinet quit in January just three months after assuming office, it declared its seventh new administration in three years on April 9.
A fresh general election was called by the ruling family less than a week after parliament was dissolved.
Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the 85-year-old emir, has resigned from politics in favour of Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 82-year-old crown prince.
Incomplete’ democracy
In Kuwait, MPs and civil society often take the authorities to task, but the Al-Sabahs keep a tight hold on ministerial portfolios, reserving most key posts for his family.
In March, a constitutional court invalidated the results of legislative polls held last year, in which the opposition won the most seats, and ruled that the previous parliament elected in 2020 be restored instead.
The emir then dissolved that parliament on April 17.
The opposition is participating in Tuesday’s vote in which 207 candidates, including 13 women, were standing, the lowest number of candidates in a legislative election since 1996.
Jassem has stood for polls in the past but will no longer do so under a current impasse she attributes to the lack of voter lists and political parties being banned.
“Political life needs to be better organized. Everyone acts too individually. Our commitment is superficial and our democracy incomplete,” she said.
Disputes between parliament and the executive branch often break out when MPs try to question ministers about allegations of corruption or poor management of the public coffer.
Kuwaiti analyst Ayed al-Manaa told AFP that the people have a “lack of confidence” in the political class.
“Kuwaitis are tired” by the situation, he said, adding that he feared the latest poll would again result in a scenario in which the government resigns, and parliament was dissolved.
The continuing political standoff in Kuwait, and the resulting lack of stability, had scared off investors, dashing hopes of reform in a wealthy and oil-rich country struggling to diversify in similar ways to its Gulf neighbours.
Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were all hydrocarbon-based economies that have in recent years diversified to attract more foreign investment.