Kuwaitis Start Voting in National Assembly Elections

An aerial view shows little traffic on the roads of Kuwait City, Kuwait March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
An aerial view shows little traffic on the roads of Kuwait City, Kuwait March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Kuwaitis Start Voting in National Assembly Elections

An aerial view shows little traffic on the roads of Kuwait City, Kuwait March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
An aerial view shows little traffic on the roads of Kuwait City, Kuwait March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

Kuwaiti voters are casting their ballots on Tuesday to choose representatives for the National Assembly during its seventeenth legislative session.

The 2023 parliamentary elections are eagerly anticipated due to the potential to address the ongoing political crisis in Kuwait.

Over the past four years, Kuwait had established three consecutive legislative assemblies.

On Tuesday, a total of 793,646 eligible voters will choose 50 deputies out of 207 candidates, including 15 female candidates, in a voting process conducted under the single-vote electoral system.

Leading up to the electoral silence, candidates have made efforts to convey their messages to the public.

These messages varied from persuasive speeches aimed at convincing voters to strategic communications for building alliances within the National Assembly.

This year’s elections are witnessing the participation of two prominent figures.

First, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ahmed Al-Sadoun (Third District), who is nearing the age of 90, was elected as the Speaker for the first time in 1985.

After the liberation of Kuwait and upon the return of the National Assembly, Al-Sadoun served as a member and Speaker in 1992 and 1996.

In 1999, the late businessman Jassim Al-Kharafi managed to defeat Al-Sadoun and held the position until 2012 when Al-Sadoun returned as the Speaker once again.

Al-Sadoun then declared that he would not run under the single-vote system. However, he did participate in the 2022 elections and achieved a record-breaking number of votes, surpassing 12,000.

He became the Speaker of the National Assembly until his position was invalidated by the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

The other prominent figure is Marzouq Al-Ghanim, who has served as the Speaker of the National Assembly since 2013.

He was re-elected as Speaker in 2020 and served until the dissolution of the National Assembly on December 15, 2020.

Over the course of four years, the National Assembly has been dissolved twice.

In 2022, the parliament was invalidated by a Constitutional Court ruling.

Kuwait has witnessed intense confrontations between the legislative and executive branches, resulting in the obstruction of legislation on economic reforms and contributing to a political deadlock.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called for change after deciding to dissolve the National Assembly, stating that this dissolution was aimed at “rectifying the political scene and addressing the lack of consensus and conflicts.



Expo 2030 Riyadh Registration Dossier Receives BIE Final Approval at Paris General Assembly

Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan led the Saudi delegation at the BIE General Assembly. (SPA)
Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan led the Saudi delegation at the BIE General Assembly. (SPA)
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Expo 2030 Riyadh Registration Dossier Receives BIE Final Approval at Paris General Assembly

Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan led the Saudi delegation at the BIE General Assembly. (SPA)
Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan led the Saudi delegation at the BIE General Assembly. (SPA)

Expo 2030 Riyadh's Registration Dossier has received final approval during the Bureau International Des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly in Paris, marking the final step in confirming the Kingdom as the official host country for the upcoming Expo. As part of the proceedings, BIE handed over the World Expo flag to Saudi Arabia's delegation.

Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan led the Saudi delegation at the BIE General Assembly, which included Saudi Ambassador to France Fahad bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaily, and other officials.

The Registration Dossier serves as a comprehensive blueprint, highlighting Saudi Arabia's vision of hosting an exceptional Expo that reflects its ambitions towards innovation and global collaboration.

Speaking on the occasion, Al-Sultan extended his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continuous support in the Kingdom's hosting of this landmark global exhibition.

“The approval of the Registration Dossier in record time highlights the Kingdom's leadership on the global stage and underscores the world's confidence in Saudi Arabia's vision and capabilities. It also reflects the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the teams involved in preparing and reviewing the Registration Dossier,” he stressed.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward in the Kingdom's journey to deliver an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the World Expo, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.”

Riyadh is the first Expo host to complete and submit its Registration Dossier in such a short timeframe, almost half the time usually required for this kind of dossier. The approval of the Registration Dossier unlocks the next phase of formal preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh, which includes extending official invitations to international participants through diplomatic channels.

Set to take place from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be one of the largest Expos ever, held on a six million sqm site. The site is designed to welcome over 40 million visits through world-class infrastructure, hospitality venues, and cutting-edge facilities. The site will ensure an unforgettable experience for all participants and visitors, with a target of more than 195 participating nations.

The approval of the Registration Dossier underscores Saudi Arabia's readiness to deliver a world-class Expo. With its bold vision, strategic planning, and unwavering support from the Kingdom's Leadership, Expo 2030 Riyadh is poised to be a landmark event that inspires progress, fosters innovation, and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.