Kuwait's Former Speaker Accuses Govt of Interfering in Upcoming Elections

Kuwaiti voters queue at a polling station during elections in September 2022. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti voters queue at a polling station during elections in September 2022. (KUNA)
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Kuwait's Former Speaker Accuses Govt of Interfering in Upcoming Elections

Kuwaiti voters queue at a polling station during elections in September 2022. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti voters queue at a polling station during elections in September 2022. (KUNA)

The registration of candidates for the Kuwaiti National Assembly elections will close on Sunday, with 183 male and female nominees registered so far in the five constituencies. Elections are scheduled for June 6.

Among them is former Speaker of the National Assembly, Marzouq al-Ghanim, who submitted his candidacy to the Department of Elections Affairs at the Ministry of Interior for the second constituency.

Al-Ghanim accused Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Nawaf of violating the Emir's speech, delivered by the Crown Prince earlier this year, during which he spoke of the state's neutrality and non-interference in the elections.

He said the prime minister has turned a blind eye to bribery paid by unnamed parties and has ordered candidates to influence the elections.

In a letter addressed to the PM, al-Ghanim accused him of violating the constitution, recalling the Emir’s speech on non-interference in the elections.

He claimed that a member of the ruling family was meddling in the elections and was meeting with some candidates and lawmakers.

He urged the PM to take action to put a stop to such activity.

Moreover, he accused some members of the ruling family of clearly and blatantly supporting candidates loyal to them to ensure their success in the elections.

Al-Ghanim warned that the prime minister, not the royal family member, will be held accountable if this continues.

"It is the responsibility of the prime minister and the cabinet to be impartial and not to interfere in the elections, either directly or indirectly," he stressed.

After submitting his candidacy, al-Ghanim said he was running in the elections to regain the confidence of the voters he represents, adding that he would serve Kuwaitis from any position, whether he was the Speaker or a lawmaker.



Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)

Kuwait issued seven new decrees on Saturday, revoking the Kuwaiti nationality of 1,145 women and 13 men, along with any individuals who may have acquired citizenship through affiliation.
The decrees, which are set to be published in the official Kuwaiti gazette on Sunday, stated that the decision followed a review of the Constitution, the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, and the recommendation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The decrees include the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from 1,145 women, as well as individuals who may have acquired it through affiliation.
Additionally, the citizenship of certain individuals was rescinded under Article 21 of the Nationality Law, which permits the withdrawal of nationality if it was granted based on fraud, false statements, or incorrect documentation.
Under Kuwaiti law, the cabinet, acting on a proposal from the Interior Minister, has the authority to revoke citizenship in such cases. This also applies to individuals who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through affiliation with the original certificate holder.
Last Thursday, the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Affairs convened a meeting, chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who also serves as the committee's chairman.

The committee decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,647 individuals, with plans to present their cases to the Cabinet for further review.
This brings the total number of cases to 4,601 since October 31, a span of just three weeks.
The Committee began its work in early March, when Kuwaiti authorities launched a campaign to revoke citizenships for various reasons, primarily linked to fraud.
The Kuwaiti government states that the revocation of citizenship from forgers and dual nationals is intended to "preserve national identity, ensure stability, and protect the national fabric," as well as to remove the records of individuals who obtained citizenship through illegal means.