KUWAIT CITY, Feb 1: The Arab region has a pool of competent people who can work with the concerned authorities to ensure fair and honest elections, said participants in a press conference organized Wednesday by the Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS) at the Media Center for the 2012 Parliamentary Elections.
Local and foreign election observers have confirmed their readiness to monitor the 2012 National Assembly elections to guarantee transparency and impartiality in line with the international standards. The election monitoring body includes the KTS, Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA), Kuwait Bar Association (KBA) and Arab Network for Democratic Elections.
Speaking at the press conference, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Major General Mahmoud Al-Dousari affirmed the Kuwaitis live in a democratic nation supported by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who has expressed satisfaction on the participation of KTS in monitoring the elections. He revealed Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Interior Sheikh Ahmed Al-Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has formed a committee, consisting of members from the KTS, KBA and KJA and the ministry, to look into electoral malpractices. He pointed out the entire nation must bear the responsibility for whatever happens outside the polling stations. He said five centers have been established in various constituencies to receive complaints or reports on election irregularities, while another committee coordinates with the Kuwait Municipality to check advertisements on the streets and the polling stations.
Meanwhile, KTS Chairman Dr Salah Al-Ghazali confirmed a total of 300 local observers and 35 foreigners will monitor the elections. He will prepare a report on the elections in a transparent and objective manner, clarifying the foreign observers will evaluate the entire electoral process supported by the weekly reports released by the society earlier.
On the other hand, Director of Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) Zayed Abdelsamad asserted the Arab region has a lot of potential and the organization seeks to strengthen the movement in this part of the world by proposing laws to guarantee free and fair elections. He disclosed the monitoring team has noted several positive points in the Election Law, such as clarifying the nature of media discourse during the campaign period, banning the use of worship places as campaign venues, incriminating election bribery and usage of funds from trade unions and societies.
However, Abdelsamad highlighted some flaws like the absence of an independent election commission and allowing the Ministry of Interior, which is part of the government, to oversee the electoral process; because this does not guarantee neutrality of the organizing body. He said the Election Law also lacks clear stipulations to regulate the media, advertising and election campaigns, although the minister of information had previously issued a directive to regulate the next legislative and Municipal Council elections. “According to the law, every Kuwaiti citizen, aged 21 and above, has the right to participate in the elections, while the voting age in other countries is 18,” he added.
Abdulsamad confirmed the Ministry of Information has prepared a comprehensive media plan for the elections with more than 1,200 media practitioners from around the world to guarantee full coverage of the historic event.
Furthermore, KBA Chairman Khalid Al-Kandari emphasized the importance of transparency and strict monitoring of the electoral process, particularly in the counting of votes.
KJA member Walid Al-Ahmad said the government is serious in its bid to ensure fair and honest elections through the participation of civil society institutions. He lauded the Kuwaiti media for uncovering several irregularities, such as the multimillion deposit scam and other controversies that rocked the local political arena recently.
Amal Van Hess, an election observer from Holland, called for respect of human rights and strengthening the role of civil societies in the Gulf. She believes the Kuwaiti experience serves as a role model for other nations in the region.
Arab Network for Democratic Elections member Dr Hassan Abdel Ati clarified the election observers will not only focus on the electoral process but also the democratic practice of Kuwait to know the extent of its development in this regard. “This can be done through the exchange of knowledge and experience. The role of civil societies must be activated to improve the country’s democratic practice,” he concluded.