Ministry warns against taking photos of voting papers

This photo released by the Interior Ministry shows Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah touring a polling station yesterday.

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah asserted yesterday that the supreme leadership represented by His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Premier are very keen to have the ongoing parliamentary elections 2016 go in harmony with the civilized image and high status of the State of Kuwait regionally and internationally.

The parliamentary elections depict the positive interaction between the leadership and people and a live expression of the active participation of the people in shaping present and future of the country. This came in a statement by the minister while touring a number of polling stations along with Interior Undersecretary, special adviser of the deputy premier and interior minister and a number of senior interior ministry officials.

He said that the interior ministry has harnessed all its potentials to ensure that the elections proceed smoothly and at ease, saying that His Highness the Amir has directed that all facilities be furnished in order to facilitate transparent, secured and free elections.

The minister was briefed about the progress of voting and exchanged cordial talks with a number of voters in various polling stations. The voters expressed their satisfaction for the smooth polling process and the facilities rendered by the security authorities on the polling day.

No photos

Meanwhile, Ministry of Interior warned voters not to take photos of the ballots after casting their votes, saying this is prohibited by the election law. According to the law, a violator can spend five years behind bars, and pay a fine of KD 5,000, the ministry's statement added.

Article 44 of Kuwait's Election Law provides for punishing violators in the case of using force or threatening to prevent voters from practicing their rights, or to vote for certain candidates, or refraining from balloting.

The same article provides for a penalty in case of vote buying, promoting false news about a candidate's behavior among voters, or going to the polling station with a device with the intention of taking photos of ballots to prove one has voted for a certain nominee. Also, one will be punished if he goes to the polling centers carrying a fire arm, according to Article 30 of the law. - KUNA