By Muntaha Al-Fadhli, KUNA,
Kuwait : Nationals with criminal records can neither vote nor nominate in parliamentary elections even if they have served the sentences, but they retain their political right with a “clean bill” from the judiciary and other authorities.
Dr. Mohammad Abdel Mohsen Al-Muqataa, professor of public law at Kuwait University, said in an interview with KUNA that a certificate from the judicial authorities affirming cleanliness of the criminal record of a national is necessary to allow him (her) practice political right.
The legal confirmation of the clean record for a national convicted to three years behind bars and above can be obtained 10 years after serving the sentence, or with the issuance of an Amiri Amnesty or invalidity by prescription.
The criminal cases include murder, abduction, rape, harmful beating that inflicts permanent disfiguring or disability, breach of trusteeship, fraud or robbery by force.
Those with misdemeanor sentences can restore their political rights five years after the execution of the verdict, or with an Amiri decree and invalidity by time. These offenses include unintentional murder, electoral bribery and violating the press law.
Dr. Al-Muqataa also indicated that the “clean record” can also be obtained from superiors at work, or reliable and authoritative figures, adding that this can also be applied to various other cases such as cases of state security and misappropriation of public funds, provided that the sentences have been executed.
On the question of “electoral crimes,” the professor indicated that they include entry into the ballot stations with weapons or camera, tampering with the electoral papers, seizure of ballot boxes, holding primary polls, using worship places for voting, using money of charities or unions for serving a candidate or harming his (her) contender.
He indicated that a national with a record of such offenses can practice his (her) right 10 years after execution, or five years after the execution with the issuance of a judicial sentence. He also indicated that the law bans the citizen from this right forever in case her (she) commits the same offense again.