Kuwait swings into election mode

It's all set for the parliamentary elections in Kuwait. The electoral campaign has already begun in full swing for the July 5 elections to choose a new parli ament. The elections come just after the parliamentary elections in Jordan due to be held on June 17.

These two dates are significant since they actually underline the democratic process the region is going through. Qatar, for example, has just called for the formation of a human rights committee and the same is the case in Saudi Arabia.

Today, there seems to be a greater move towards liberalisation and the institution of more political reform.

In Kuwait, however, the democratic process is longest going back to as early as 1963 when the state became the first country in the Gulf to have held elections and a new parliament that is to say the least noisy with the elections of a number of nationalist deputies.

Today's election campaign is important for the country because it signifies the continuation of the democratic process, and suggests the further opening up of the system that had its ups and downs in the mid-1970s when the legislative assembly was temporarily suspended.

Kuwaitis appear to be very glad of having new parliament, with some hoping there would be a new government with new faces. Observers in Kuwait suggest that come election day, there would be a high turnout.

Registration for the elections, which opened, last week has been weak, but it is hoped the electoral campaign would have a full spark as it fully gets underway during this month.

Many local experts in Kuwait suggest the population is too mature politically not to participate in the aura of the new campaign, suggesting that there would be in the end a higher voter turn out on July 5.

With the recent changes in the area there seems to be a new, more relaxed and reflective mood. Many are standing for elections this time around, some are first timers and many are standing for re-elections.

In keeping with tradition, there are liberals, nationalists, leftists, Islamists and those standing on a tribal ticket. It's a mixed social setting reflecting the diverse nature of Kuwaiti society.

What appears to be important also is that there are those talking about the need for reform and political changes benefiting the country.

Three local journalists, Ahmed Al Dini, Naji Saoud Al Zeid and Abdul Latif Al Deaij sent a memo to Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad, Kuwait's Foreign Minister, calling for a new formation of government as "soon as possible" or soon after the elections to implement political reform.

What they want is reform in the structure of the state and the move away from what they call a rentier economy.

They added there is a need for a new electoral system to move away from tribalism and sectarianism as reported in Al Hayat daily newspaper.