KUWAIT CITY, March 11: Ten citizens (all men) on Monday filed their candidacy for the upcoming parliamentary election. The total number of candidates has reached 204 including six women. The 10 candidates who registered on the eighth day are as follows: Second Constituency: two (Marzouq Ali Al- Ghanim and Mishal Saleh Al-Merri) Fourth Constituency: five (Khalifa Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Abdulaziz Saleh Abbas, Fawaz Thamer Al-Mutairi, Hadi Malouh Al-Majedi and Yaqoub Mohammad Jawhar. Fifth Constituency: three (Ahmed Mohammad, Abdulmuhsen Ali Akbar, and Mohammad Abdulamir Husain) In a press statement after filing his candidacy, former MP and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim said the corrupt parties mislead the public by hurling false accusations at others. He neither confirmed nor denied the speculation that he will run for the speakership, indicating every MP has the right to stand for such an election.

Asked to comment on the adjournment of parliamentary sessions because of the absence of the government, Al-Ghanim clarified that he adopted this procedure as he believes it is in line with the Constitution and the National Assembly Law. He added this procedure was adopted by all the successive speakers and deputy speakers. He made clear that it is his honor to serve the people whether as a lawmaker or speaker. Fourth Constituency candidate Dr Fawaz Al Jadee disclosed that he followed up the programs and ideas of other candidates, but they did not tackle the real concerns of the citizens. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said Sunday the efforts to improve the citizens’ standards of living must be given precedence in the cooperation between the government and the coming National Assembly (parliament).

“The government planned for cooperation with the outgoing parliament on this matter but unfortunately the parliament was dissolved for transgressing the Sovereign status, which is known to everybody,” he said. His Highness the Prime Minister made the press remarks after attending the graduation ceremony of the eighth and ninth batches of Saud N. Al-Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute. The government will pursue its efforts to improve the standards of living of the citizens materially and morally by enhancing their confidence that the state is serious in addressing all forms of corruption and crimes, he pointed out. Regarding the material aspect, the government studied with the technical departments the plans for providing soft loans, and improving the benefits of pensioners in collaboration with the Public Institution for Social Security, His Highness the Prime Minister revealed. The consultations resulted in positive attitude to regulation of soft loans that will benefit pensioners and ensure sustainability of sovereign funds, he said. “We concluded that a draft legislation on this issue will be tabled to the upcoming National Assembly soon after being elected in the coming weeks,” His Highness the Prime Minister added.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies