KUWAIT CITY, Nov 8: In every parliamentary election, some candidates use illegal weapons to hit opponents, including “rumors”, which are the most prominent tools of the “hidden campaign” of candidates. They pay those in charge of fake accounts to spread false news that undermines the reputation of their opponents, reports Aljarida daily.

Rumors in Kuwait are not linked to elections alone but it is a problem that the State has been suffering from constantly since the time of digital transformation and the spread of social networking sites. The political leadership has often warned of its danger to society, which prompted the legislators to fight it by adopting a set of laws such as laws on “electronic media” and “cybercrime” by increasing penalties for spreading false news.

Just 30 days remain for the closing of the curtain on the 2020 National Assembly elections, which is taking place under exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, the electronic rumor weapons have begun to hit the candidates.

The matter has even reached the circulation of names whose promoters claim that the committee concerned with examining candidacy applications has removed them, due to the issuance of judgments against their owners in financial issues, honor and trust. The committee has not completed its work, and one of the names mentioned was yet to file for nomination in the elections at the time of filing this report.