Kuwait enters electoral silence phase Monday

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ALBAWABA – Kuwait is slated to enter the “electoral silence” phase starting Monday in the midst of it preparation of upcoming parliamentary elections.

The expected phase, also known as “silence period,” occurs just before the scheduled elections for the 17th legislative term, referred to as “Ummah 2023,” which will take place on Tuesday.

During the electoral silence, as stipulated by a ministerial decision, media coverage, advertising, and promotion related to the elections are restricted.

It is also prohibited to broadcast, rebroadcast, or publish any interviews, programs, or reports featuring or discussing the candidates.

A total of 207 candidates, including 13 women, will be competing for seats.

Earlier, the Constitutional Court in Kuwait invalidated the 2022 National Assembly elections, effectively annulling the current parliament and reinstating one elected in 2020.

The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) had revealed, some time ago that the court ruled in a session to nullify the election process, which took place in September, and revoke the membership of the current council on grounds that dissolving the previous council was not in place.

The court also revived the council of 2020, as of the date of the ruling, as if dissolving it had not occurred.

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah decided to officially dissolve the National Assembly on Aug. 2, following disagreements between the government and parliament.

At that time, al-Sabah decided to hold early elections in September 2022.

However, the dissolution of the council was met with around 35 appeals, including appeals lodged by deputies in the dissolved council who had challenged the validity of the dissolution procedures.

But, the parliament was then dissolved by royal decree on May 1. Two days after the dissolution, Kuwait has set June 6 as national election day.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).