Manama: The total number of Kuwaitis running in next month’s parliamentary elections has slimmed down to 371 after two candidates pulled out of the race.
Under the 2012 election rules, the deadline for withdrawing candidacies is January 15. With the pullout of Mubarak Al Khurainej, Fourth Constituency, and Abdullah Al Mutairi, First Constituency, on Saturday, the number of those who withdrew from the race has reached 18.
Only three women have reversed their decision to contest in the elections. A final decision on the eligibility of the candidates to run will be issued by an ad-hoc committee is expected within days amid warnings by the opposition that it will take to the street in case former lawmaker Faisal Al Mislim is barred from running.
The Court of Appeal is due to delver on January 11 a verdict in a case brought against Al Mislim by a local bank for disclosing in a parliament session a cheque reportedly issued by Shaihk Nasser Al Mohammad, the former prime minister.
“All options remain open in case Al Mislim is barred from running in the elections,” Waleed Al tabtabai, a former lawmaker, said as he and 13 other supporters of Al Mislim met on Saturday afternoon to consider their moves.
Around 400,000 Kuwaitis are scheduled to cast their ballots to elect 50 deputies on February 2.
