Liberals Lose in Kuwait Parliament Vote

Is anyone surprised at the outcome when women are not allowed to vote on the issue of whether or not to give women voting rights?
-----BumbleBeeBoogie

Liberals Lose in Kuwait Parliament Vote
Sunday July 6, 2003 2:39 PM
By DIANA ELIAS - Associated Press Writer

KUWAIT CITY (AP) - Islamists and supporters of the royal-led Cabinet kept their grip on Kuwait's parliament in weekend elections, while liberals urging voting rights for women suffered major losses, according to results released Sunday.

Many liberals had hoped that success in Saturday's election would lead the legislature to agree to female suffrage in this small oil-rich state. That seemed less likely after their poor showing, unless the Cabinet puts its weight behind the issue and pressures parliament.

Fundamentalist Muslims calling for the full implementation of Islamic law added one seat for a total of 21 in the 50-seat house. Pro-Cabinet members added two seats and now control 14.

Liberals and their supporters won just three seats, down from 14 in the outgoing Parliament. The remaining 12 went to independents, an increase from four in the last house.

The election was marked by accusations of vote-buying and grumbling that many voters cast ballots according to tribal and religious allegiances.

Under Kuwait's system, the emir has the final say and can dissolve the legislature. Still, Parliament has significant influence: It must approve all legislation and has blocked the royal ruler's previous attempts to give women the vote.

There are no political parties in Kuwait, with many fearing this would bring political strife. Candidates run as representative of three fundamentalist and two liberal ``movements,'' or as independents.

The Islamists fear Kuwait is losing its conservative identity, and want to change legislation to conform with Islamic law. The royal-led Cabinet does not follow a particular ideological line, while the independents include many new, unaffiliated members elected because of local loyalties.

In the first government comment on the vote, Kuwait Television quoted the deputy prime minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, as saying the Kuwaiti people had ``proven political awareness and responsibility'' in the elections. He said he was ``absolutely optimistic'' that Parliament would have ``more achievements to offer.''

Voters in Kuwait City and its suburbs traditionally support liberal candidates. Outer tribal areas usually elect pro-government or Islamist lawmakers.

Political science professor Shamlan al-Issa of Kuwait University worried that people complaining about the old legislature voted many of the same groups back into power.

``There was so much criticism for lawmakers who asked favors from the Cabinet for their constituents at the expense of the law - they all won,'' he said. ``Kuwaiti voters proved they were looking out for their individual gains, not the country's major issues.''

In campaign rallies, liberal candidates called for political reform and complained about a system in which only men over 21 can cast ballots.

Other candidates accused the outgoing house of failing to deal with major economic issues such as privatization of an economy that depends on oil revenues and government spending.

Economist Jassem al-Saadoun argued that the new Parliament might approve Cabinet plans for privatization if concerns such as layoffs of civil servants are addressed.

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