By Sherouq Sadeqi, KUNA,
Paris : The National Union of Kuwaiti Students in France and neighboring countries announced here Monday that it will be launching a campaign soon to press for granting the Kuwaitis living abroad the right to cast their vote through the establishment of centers for this purpose.
Interviewed by KUNA, President of the Union, Abdulkarim Al-Kanderi, 27, who is pursuing his PhD studies in corporate law here, revealed that the Union will launch a campaign soon “to amend the election law to allow Kuwaitis abroad to cast their vote either in the Kuwaiti embassy or the Cultural Office.
” He added that there is also another demand which is “to allow those over the age of 18 to vote instead of 21, where this campaign was first launched five years ago.” Al-Kanderi expressed belief that this would be “a full practice of democracy,” as the number of Kuwaitis in France is considered fairly large, whether they are students, patients, or employees “so why not organize the election process.” As for the elections in Kuwait, he remarked “I believe we are witnessing a political crossroad at the present time in Kuwait and also witnessing a new experience with the five constituencies.” He expressed his “regret” over the incidents that are being witnessed in Kuwait, such as the “tribal by-elections and the violation of some rights.” He stressed, “We are aware that there is no democracy without having negative impacts,” but the positive impacts should prevail.
He also voiced his belief that that the elections this year, due May 17, will be “very exciting” and different with the new constituency division.
Al-Kanderi believes that “we will see a semi-new parliament” and hoped that “previous mistakes” regarding the negative factors present in the past parliament are corrected and learnt from and that the next National Assembly would be “in harmony” with the government.
For his part, Anas Al-Toura, 24, pursing his postgraduate studies in Germany and is the chairman of the Unions legal committee and the neighboring countries told KUNA that he believes that at the current time Kuwait is witnessing a great democratic event.
Meanwhile, he affirmed that “there are also negative events being witnessed in light of the recent incidents which have a negative impact on Kuwait’s image and its democratic reputation.” Al-Toura, who is the first member of the union who does not reside in France, hoped that the elections would be a “success and would result in good substance” regarding the parliament members who will be elected. “It is important for us to be optimistic and see new faces in the National Assembly in light of the new division with five constituencies,” he stressed.
He expressed sorrow that they are unable to cast their votes and be part of the democratic process Kuwait is witnessing, saying that “recently legislative elections were held in Italy and my Italian colleagues in Germany cast their votes in their Embassy which made me feel sorry” that the Kuwaiti students are unable to practice their democracy to the fullest too.
He called for the establishment of centers in the Kuwaiti embassies for the Kuwaitis abraod to cast their votes, especially that as students, they cannot fly back to Kuwait either for their school schedule or travel expenses. He re-affirmed that the Union has been studying this issue for a while and “we will be launching a major campaign in this regard because the success of democracy is through our participation in it.” Furthermore, Hanan Behbehani, 23, who is pursing her graduate studies in France and is also a member of the Union told KUNA that she hopes that the winning MPs would be “good representatives of our country and that their utmost priority would be Kuwait and its development.” She also expressed hope that the “demands of the citizens are fulfilled and that the Kuwaitis unite to avoid the current incidents,” which are being followed-up and read in newspapers.
She also hoped that the Kuwaiti females aboard can practice their right to vote through the establishment of centers for this purpose.
“I hope to see a Kuwaiti woman win the elections this time especially that I am a Kuwaiti woman and I have a strong belief in their capabilities as many have reached high posts, like an ambassador, minister and undersecretary.” Meanwhile, Jassem Al-Mutairi, who is also pursuing his postgraduate studies in France in constitutional law told KUNA that the field of his study and the subject of his thesis, being the Kuwaiti parliamentary system “requires me to travel back to Kuwait for the elections and live this experience, especially that this time the elections have a special condition with the five constituencies division.” He indicated that this time, the elections will have a “different reality” too with the new division, as the electoral agendas of the candidates will be richer and some might even enter lists, which is also a new experience.
He added that “this is also the first time we have a media and advertising control on the candidates campaigns,” in indication to the press and advertising embargo imposed on the candidates.
He stressed that as a Kuwaiti living abroad, “I am proud of the Kuwaiti democracy being witnessed and the media coverage which reflects many democratic aspects in Kuwait such as the freedom of press and womens political rights,” which further elevates Kuwaits image all over the world.