Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah ordered yesterday forming a special panel to examine nomination papers of the candidates vying for seats in the upcoming 50-member National Assembly (Parliament). The commission, to be presided by the first public attorney, justice Sultan Majed Boujarwa, will check the candidacy papers to ensure all the required terms and specifications for the nominees are met and available, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a statement. The panel, which will hold its sessions at the headquarters of the election department, is entitled to seek any information or documents from any authority, and will report to the Ministry of Interior.

The MoI statement came as the electoral process kicked off early today, when candidates started submitting their registration papers at the set centers across Kuwait. Candidates' papers' submission will proceed till October 28, pending the balloting due on November 26th.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has recently dissolved the parliament citing various challenges and regional critical conditions. At least three Cabinet members desiring to take part in parliamentary elections have already resigned from their executive posts.

Law number 35/1962, which deals with parliamentary elections, permits candidates to file their candidacies to contest elections, a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior said. Moreover, all eligible candidates should be Kuwaiti citizens below 30 years of age and are required to be fluent in written and spoken Arabic, the statement added.

On further prerequisites, the statement pointed out that all candidates should have no criminal history, as those found with criminal records are prohibited from contesting the elections. Furthermore, all candidates should register at the elections affairs office in Shuwaikh Residential area from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, with their citizenship certificates and two recent photos in hand. A KD 50 fee is also required to register, the statement noted. Parliamentary life in Kuwait saw the light in the early 60s, thus putting the State of Kuwait on the world's democracy map. - KUNA