KUWAIT CITY, April 4: Amidst a notable turnout reflecting strong and positive participation, hundreds of male and female voters hurried to the polling stations as soon as they opened across various areas in the First Constituency, notably in Rumaithiya and Salwa. Dozens of voters in their vehicles were witnessed outside schools before the doors even opened, especially the elderly.

According to official data, the number of male and female voters who cast their votes in the First Constituency as of 2:00pm reached 4,845, or about five percent of the total number of registered voters in the constituency. By 2:00 pm, the number of voters at Daiya Joint School for Girls in the First Constituency stood at 330. This included 120 individuals from the electoral committee out of a total of 1,043, 100 from the first sub-committee out of 1,070 registered, and 110 from the second sub-committee out of 1,167.

According to the latest list released by the Ministry of Interior, the First Constituency comprises 104,038 male and female voters. The total number of committees is 93, with 45 designated for men and 48 for women. These committees are distributed among 16 schools. A total of 41 male and female candidates are competing for the ten seats, some of who are seeking to break the monopoly of a number of parliamentary seats in the electoral constituency. In a statement to Al-Seyassah, Judge Muhammad Al-Sanea said the Muhammad Al-Shayji School Center for Girls in Rumaithiya received 150 female voters out of 1,458, or about ten percent, as of 2:30pm.

He said he is expecting the pace of voting to increase in the evening after breakfast (Iftar). In this regard, candidate Ali Al-Kandari said, “The turnout at polling stations is good in the morning, and these are indicators of an increase in numbers in the upcoming election hours.” He stressed that the electoral process is progressing smoothly thus far, with no delays or issues encountered as voters enter the polling halls. This seamless operation owes much to the collective efforts of those overseeing the electoral center, including security personnel and other state agencies responsible for supervising the conduct of the electoral process. Al-Kandari revealed that the number of people who have cast their votes so far bodes well for the turnout of citizens to choose who will represent them, adding that he is expecting the attendance rate to increase in the evening period after breakfast.

Meanwhile, candidate Ali Al-Mousa stressed that participation is a national message of adherence to democracy, and an affirmation that the Kuwaiti people will not abandon their constitutional rights and duties, and their belief that managing the state and its affairs is a shared responsibility. He said, “We look forward to effective electoral participation.” Furthermore, a candidate from the First Constituency Ali Al-Sabri said, “Kuwaitis are keen on change and are all optimistic about the new era. We do not want the return of the corruption approach.” Also, candidate Ahmad Al-Shahoumi said, “We are living in a transitional era in which we need to focus on development and the future.” As for the candidate Abdullah Al-Tariji, he called on the loyal people of Kuwait to choose well those who will represent the nation and be of assistance to His Highness the Amir of the country in correcting the mistakes of the past, protecting popular gains, promoting stability, and protecting the constitution and democracy.

In turn, candidate Abdullah Al-Roumi said, “There is no voice above Kuwait. We all will leave but Kuwait will stay. The dissolved parliament lacked many things, the most important of which was the lack of parliamentarians with experience and political sophistication. We hope that the new parliament would be different from the previous one and that everyone would succeed in the interest of Kuwait.” Al-Roumi called on the new government to adhere to the laws and implement them as well as to establish the principle of cooperation between the two authorities. He said he hopes the new government would meet the requirements of the Kuwaiti citizens and lead Kuwait and its people to safety. Meanwhile, in the context of activating the laws and decisions regulating the elections, voters noticed the presence of posters in polling centers warning against parking vehicles in front of these centers so that they are not subjected to a violation and the vehicle will be towed. In addition, Kuwait Municipality has started removing tents and tables in front of schools and issuing a violation report against the violating candidates. Moments before the commencement of voting in the 2024 National Assembly Elections at polling stations across the Fourth Constituency, a surprising influx of Kuwaiti men and women caused unexpected congestion outside many schools. Fasting did not curb their enthusiasm. The voting process proceeded without delay, thanks to the efficient cooperation of the authorities overseeing the electoral process.

Administrative and security arrangements were well organized, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free voting experience. As the voting process commenced, schools experienced a significant surge of voters, notably elderly individuals and those with special needs. Many were eager to arrive early at the polling centers with the aim of avoiding crowds anticipated particularly after Iftar (breakfast). In this regard, Hamad Al-Hatlani, head of the polling station at the Abdullah Al- Roumi School in Sabah Al-Nasser, confirmed that the number of voters exceeded 1,250. He said the turnout exceeded 70 voters in the first hour, and the number continued to increase. Al-Hatlani said he is expecting the turnout to be less during the period before breakfast, then increase by double in the evening, and then increase furthermore in the final hours before polling stations close. He highlighted the great awareness among voters in checking their restrictions before entering the polls so as not to cause any delay, and in knowing the requirements and prohibitions in the voting process.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Al-Mutairi, head of the polling station at Saleh Al-Ruwaih School in Ardiya, said, “The voting process began at 12 noon, and the turnout has been excellent so far. The election process takes approximately one minute per head. The number of voters who cast their votes in the first hour in this committee was about 93 voters out of 1,063. The voting process took place with ease. The voters brought with them either their original nationality ID or a certificate issued by the Nationality Department dated yesterday” He praised the voters’ commitment to not commit any violations that the legislator warned about during the electoral process, such as photocopying the ballot paper or attempting to vote publicly.

Furthermore, a large number of voters turned up at Umm Baraa Bint Safwan School in Qasr to cast their votes, amid a large security and traffic presence. Hassan Al-Shammari, head of the polling station at Umm Al-Baraa School, affirmed that the committee includes 1,070 voters out of whom 36 cast their votes during the first hour. He said he is expecting the numbers to increase after breakfast, revealing that the school has one electoral committee and seven subcommittees. Also, a large number of voters arrived at Waha Primary School in the first two hours of the opening of the polls, including elderly men. The Civil Defense volunteers facilitated the process of entry and exit of voters with ease. Meanwhile, female voters flocked to the ballot boxes at Sayed Hashem Al-Hanayan School in Jahra in the first hours and cast their votes in the presence of women police and female volunteers who facilitated their entry and exit while casting their votes. In addition, Shaddadiya School in Abdullah Al-Mubarak witnessed a remarkable attendance of voters during the first hours of the opening of voting. The voting process was conducted with ease and without any problems.

A number of voters confirmed to Al- Seyassah that they will choose the most suitable candidate based on the interest of the country and its people. They stressed that the selection process is a great responsibility for citizens and they must participate in this democratic wedding. Polling stations in the five constituencies witnessed medium to high turnout of voters during the National Assembly Election on Thursday. Chairman of the main polling station (number 224) in Ayoub Husain Al-Ayoub School Judge Mishal Al-Beraiki disclosed the number of voters who came to elect their representatives at the Assembly was higher than expected, especially during the fasting hours. Chairman of the main polling station in Abdullah Bin Al-Arat School Judge Abdulla Othman said the first few hours witnessed an average number of voters, indicating that almost 10 percent of the voters came in the first few hours Chairman of Al-Shadadiya School polling station at Saad Al-Abdullah City Judge Naif Al-Mesama revealed that 144 out of 1,253 voters already voted at 1:30 pm – one and a half hour after the start of the voting period at 12:00 noon.

The election atmosphere was positive as the concerned institutions are fully prepared, especially the ministries of Interior and Health. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah conducted a field tour to personally look into the preparations of the concerned departments, follow up the enforcement of regulations and provide support for the voters. Kuwait Municipality Director Eng Saud Al-Dabbous took the same step to monitor the teams tasked to follow up the elections. He affirmed these teams efficiently carried out their tasks in and outside the polling stations, including the removal of violating advertisements. He added these teams have been instructed not to leave the areas where they were assigned until the election results are announced. The counting of votes will start immediately after the voting period at 12:00 midnight and results are expected to be announced by Friday morning. Since the opening of the polling stations for the 2024 National Assembly’s elections, senior citizens were the first to make their way to cast their votes. So far, they have exceeded the younger generations in casting their votes since the start of the elections Thursday, with all amenities provided to them including wheelchairs, and guidance from election committees

By Raed Yousef, Suzan Naser, Jaber Al-Hamoud, Munif Nayef, Fares Al-Abdan and Saeed Mahmoud Saleh

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies