Speaker invites MPs to April 27 and 28 ordinary sessions

KUWAIT CITY, April 25: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim invited the MPs to the ordinary sessions slated for April 27 and 28, 2021. Items in the agenda include the grilling motions against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, which were dismissed according to the decision of the Assembly to suspend deliberations on such grilling motions until the next parliamentary round.

The grilling motion filed by MPs Ahmed Mutei Al-Azmi and Soud Bu Sleeb against Minister of Health Dr Bssel Al-Sabah will be discussed as well, in addition to voting on eight incoming letters that include the resignation letter of MP Yousef Al-Fadala and letters to assign the Negative Phenomenon to study the causes of rising violence and drug addiction cases and then present solutions and recommendations. The Assembly will also vote on the reports of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee about lifting the immunity of MPs Hassan Jawhar, Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi, Yousef Al-Ghareeb, Ahmed Mutei Al-Azmi Homoud Mebrek Al-Azmi and Sulaiman Al-Helela; and the second reading of the bill on amending the audio-visual, printing and publishing laws.

Unified
In a relevant development, a total of 27 MPs had a meeting in the Diwan of MP Hassan Jawhar on Saturday; during which they agreed to present a unified position for the Assembly to regain its right as per Article 100 of the Constitution, and that there will be no session on April 27 unless HH the Prime Minister stands on the grilling podium.

They posted this agreement on their respective Twitter accounts. Article 100 of the Constitution states: “Every member of the National Assembly is empowered to direct interrogations at the Prime Minister and the Ministers on matters falling within their competence. In cases that are not pressing, and with the Minister’s consent, debate on an interrogation shall not take place save after at least eight days from the day of its presentation.” MP Mehalhal Al-Mudaf, who attended the meeting, disclosed that no decision regarding the ministers’ seats was taken at the meeting. However, MP Hamad Rouhaldeen said this is on the table for further discussion and there is no impediment to doing so in the upcoming session.

Election
On the supplementary Assembly election scheduled for May 22 to fill up the parliamentary seat vacated by former MP Badr Al-Dahoum due to a court decision to nullify his parliamentary membership, Director General of the Legal Affairs General Department at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Salah Al-Shatti confirmed the election will be held under the supervision of health authorities to ensure compliance with the health regulations aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus. He said 26 schools will be allocated for the election -- 13 schools for men and 13 for women.

He added one more school will be allocated for receiving citizens who are infected with coronavirus, indicating the Health Ministry will specify procedures for citizens under home quarantine to vote. So far, 37 citizens – two of whom are women – have filed their candidacies for the supplementary election. Two of these candidates have announced their intention to withdraw their candidacy and the number of candidates may increase in the coming days. The candidates can withdraw from the electoral race until seven days before the date of election.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff