By KUNA,
Kuwait : Candidates competing in the second constituency called for pushing forth development and reform in the country, such that the aspirations of the people could be realized.
Abdulwahed Al-Khalfan, speaking Saturday evening at the inauguration of his campaigning headquarters in Mansouriya, said the country was at a decisive moment and that there was a need for cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, without which “negative shadows will continue to be cast on the developmental process.” He added that reform required a reinstatement of confidence and respect for the principle of separating constitutional authorities, calling on voters to bear in mind the prospects of the future generations when selecting their representatives.
The candidate hoped that each bloc in the coming parliament would adopt a certain issue such as housing, education and economy, so as to place a suitable mechanism for tackling problems and finding solutions for them as soon as possible.
Al-Khalfan also called for rights of Kuwaiti women, namely those married to non-Kuwaitis, widows and divorcees, including their rights to housing care and the treatment of their children as citizens when it came to educational and health services.
On his part, candidate Ouda Al-Ouda said that there was a need to elect MPs of futuristic vision, if the country was to be brought out of “the backward situation it is in” and development was to be pushed forth.
Speaking at the inauguration of his campaigning headquarters in Ghirnata last night, he said a parliament with vision was needed to deal with the problems in the country.
Political stability is vital for development, he said, and the dissolution of the parliament three times in the past 16 years and the constant interpellation of ministers created tension between the legislative and executive branches.
Moreover, he said the economic situation in the country had fallen back and that the middle class had shrunk, with little job opportunities and increasing rates of unemployment.
Should he be elected, Al-Ouda said he would work to pass a series of legislations for countering administrative and financial corruption, while asserting the principle of equal opportunities, sovereignty of the law, and respecting human rights and basic freedoms with no discrimination.
The candidate also called for placing plans and programs to activate public libraries and museums, as well as the cultural movement in general, while stressing the importance of improving education and health services, and women empowerment.
The second constituency consists of 13 residential areas with a total of 41, 365 eligible candidates — 19,262 men and 22,103 women.