Kuwaitis will head to the polls on June 6 to cast their votes for the legislative branch.
The elections come at an important time, as Kuwait is dealing with a number of social, economic and political issues.
The country is facing a fiscal deficit set to exceed 5 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($16.25 billion), mounting infrastructure problems and a growing housing crisis, so while parliamentary elections are usually seen as a beacon of hope, this time the general mood is not so optimistic.
The 2022 national assembly was hailed as the “people's parliament”, with many sensing a change for the better.
But the honeymoon period did not last, as political tension escalated after the government boycotted a parliamentary session in January, refusing to vote on a draft law that would have cost the government billions of Kuwaiti dinars to take on citizens' loans.
While many refer to the elections as a “democratic wedding”, the general sentiment towards this poll is not as hopeful as it usually is, given that this is the third election to take place in less than three years.
The previous assembly was short-lived, only in session for five months after the constitutional court ruled in March to annul parliament and reinstate the previous incarnation, elected in 2020, claiming that the decree to dissolve it had been “unconstitutional”.
Then and now
The list of those running is a short one, featuring a 10-year low of 207 candidates, after 40 had dropped out before the withdrawal deadline of May 30.
“We just finished from an election cycle so we didn’t have time to recover financially and socially,” Abdullah Al Mufarrij, a former candidate who ran in the third electoral district in 2022, told The National.
He pointed out that it costs about 40,000 to 50,000 Kuwaiti dinars to run a political campaign.
Other than the financial toll, “elections in Kuwait heavily depend on social obligations like going to weddings, diwaniyahs and funerals and so it takes a while for a person to set their social foundation”, Mr Al Mufarrij said.
A bedrock of Kuwaiti democracy, a diwaniya is a traditional gathering that can be private or public, where patriarchs gather to discuss issues such as politics, economy and society.
“Some MPs that were part of the 2020 parliament did not run for the 2022 elections,” Hamad Al Thunayyan, assistant professor of political science at Kuwait University, told The National. "Now they are back in an effort to form an effective bloc."
Yet there are some new faces that have decided to run for the first time, one of whom is Mohammed Johar Hayat.
“This country does not deserve the decline it is going through. Kuwait enjoys all the elements of prosperity," the 41-year old father of one told The National.
"The country is rich in financial and human resources. We deserve a socially just and solid economy that is steadfast in the face of global changes culturally, economically and geopolitically.”
After abstaining from running in previous elections, former speaker of parliament Marzouq Al Ghanim has announced his candidacy.
“It is yet to be seen if Al Ghanim will run for the position again this year,” Mr Al Mufarrij said. "It will all depend on the number of votes he gets."
If Mr Al Ghanim decides to run, he will likely go up against former speaker, Ahmed Al Sadoon, who held the position most recently last year, uncontested.
Voter turnout
About 793,000 citizens are eligible, according to Kuwait's Al Jarida newspaper, yet voter turnout is expected to be less than the previous two elections, which was about 50 to 60 per cent.
The official number of voters has yet to be published by the government.
“I think that voter turnout will decrease around 20 per cent compared to the previous two years,” Mr Al Mufarrij said.
And Mr Al Thunayyan added that "morale on the street is low, especially after the fact that people were called on to choose wisely in past elections and then it was annulled”.
“There is also a concern that this parliament could be annulled in the future,” he said.
Nevertheless, there is a push to encourage the electorate.
A private company has put up billboards across the country urging people to vote. The company has also published a series of videos in Arabic featuring celebrities in Kuwait calling on people to cast their ballot.
Reforms for the future
The most important issues are reforming electoral law and setting up an electoral commission to monitor the poll.
There is little discussion around the economy, education, infrastructure and health sector.
“We have serious economic issues. We have 300,000 Kuwaitis expected to enter the job market in the next 10 years and without diversifying the economy, it will be extremely difficult to increase employment opportunities,” Mr Al Thunayyan said.
The legislature does not solely enact laws but also oversees the performance of the executive.
Previously, political deadlock has led to stalemate in almost all sectors, making co-operation between the two branches vital to push for reform.
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
The%20specs
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
