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Election Date: June 29, 2006

At stake: National Assembly

Background

Since 1937, when large oil reserves were discovered by the U.S.-British Kuwait Oil Company, the country gained prominence as a major producer. Although the start of World War II in 1939 would delay exploitation, oil production eventually allowed Kuwait to transform its infrastructure and ensure a high standard of living for its inhabitants.

In 1961, the British protectorate ended and Kuwait became an independent state, ruled by an Emir. Two years later, elections for a National Assembly took place. The legislature would be dissolved three times—in 1976, 1986 and 1999—due to political conflicts.

During the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, Kuwait offered strategic and financial support to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Thousands of expatriates, many of them Iranian, were deported from Kuwait.

In July 1990, Iraq officially launched a complaint to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accusing Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil from a field close to the border. In August, Hussein orders his forces to invade Kuwait and annex it to Iraq. The Emir and cabinet sought refuge in Saudi Arabia.

In January 1991, a multi-national force, acting to enforce a United Nations (UN) resolution, begins bombing targets in Iraq and Kuwait. The Emir would return to Kuwait in March 1991, instituting a three-month state of emergency. In 1994, Iraq officially acknowledged Kuwait's independence and new borders, as demarcated by the UN.

In March 2003, thousands of Kuwaiti soldiers participated in the United States-led coalition effort in Iraq, meant to disarm Hussein.

In July 2003, Kuwaiti voters renewed the National Assembly. Political parties are not allowed in Kuwait, but informal alliances and blocks exist within the legislative branch.

Click here for 2003 Kuwait Election Tracker

2006 National Assembly Election

In May 2005, Kuwait approved a constitutional amendment that gives women full political rights. In June, Massouma al-Mubarak became the first female cabinet minister, taking control of the planning and administrative development portfolios.

In January 2006, former prime minister Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah took over as Emir after the demise of Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, and the ousting of Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah due to health reasons.

On Apr. 17, pro-government lawmakers attempted to refer a bill to the Constitutional Court. The proposal sought to reduce the number of constituencies in Kuwait from 25 to 10. At least 29 opposition legislators, who formed the Alliance for Change, walked out of the parliamentary session and later filed a petition questioning prime minister Nasser Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah—a first in Kuwait's history.

On Apr. 23, Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and called an early election for Jun. 29. In al televised address, the 76-year-old Emir declared, "I had to take a difficult decision that I had wanted to avoid, but I concluded that it was my duty to dissolve parliament to safeguard the security of our nation." The legislative ballot will be contested under the current 25-constituency system.

Opposition legislator Mussallam al-Barrak declared, "Our main issue in the election campaign will be to call on the next parliament to carry out comprehensive reforms to the electoral system as a prelude to political reform." The Alliance for Change is said to favour a more radical step, which would reduce the number of constituencies to only five, claiming that the possibility of electoral fraud will be greatly reduced.

Former speakers Jassem al-Kharafi and Ahmad al-Saadoun are among the 47 legislators who seek re-election.

The list of 402 parliamentary candidates includes 32 women. Approximately 57 per cent of Kuwait's 340,000 registered voters are women.

On Jun. 27, several candidates signed the "Kuwait Reform Vision" pledge, which calls for tougher legislation to eradicate corruption, and making it compulsory for lawmakers to reveal their wealth.

Voting took place on Jun. 29. Final results indicate that reformist candidates secured 33 of the elected 50 seats in the National Assembly.

No women were elected to the legislature. Economist Rola Dashti received 1,539 votes—the highest number of any female candidate. Turnout was tabled at 66.4 per cent.

In July, the National Assembly approved the bill that reduced the number of constituencies from 25 to five.

Political Players

Emir: Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah
Prime minister: Nasser Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah

The Emir is the constitutional ruler of the country, chosen by the royal family but subject to the consent of the National Assembly. The Emir appoints the Prime Minister.

Legislative Branch: The Majlis al-Umma (National Assembly) has 50 members elected to four-year terms in double seat constituencies, as well as ministers who sit as ex-officio members.

Results of Last Election:

National Assembly - Jun. 29, 2006

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