Kuwait Times, Thursday, May 25, 2023 | Thul-Qidah 5, 1444
Top court upholds ruling scrapping 2022 Assembly
Kuwait:
The constitutional court on Wednesday rejected a
petition challenging its ruling on March 19 that annulled the 2022 elections,
scrapping the 2022 National Assembly and reviving the 2020 house. The challenge
was filed by six members of the scrapped Assembly, who argued the constitutional
court ruling violated the constitution and the law and illegally interfered in
the powers entrusted to HH to the Amir.
The court’s rejection means that the 2022 Assembly is scrapped forever and that
the June 6 general elections will proceed without any delay. The appeal filed by
the six former members claimed that the constitutional court exceeded its powers
outlined in the constitution and even interfered with the powers of HH the Amir.
In its new ruling on Wednesday, the court reiterated that its original verdict
was in line with the law and the constitution and that it had not surpassed its
powers or went beyond its constitutional authority, insisting the ruling was
correct. Normally, rulings issued by the constitutional court are final and
cannot be challenged, but the court sometimes accepts some challenges disputing
that the law was violated.
The government had already accepted and implemented the March 19 ruling even
after the former chief justice and head of the constitutional court Mohammad Bin
Naji, who issued the March 19 ruling, retired one year ahead of time. After
reinstating the 2020 Assembly, which was dissolved in August 2022, the
government then approved a new decree by HH the Amir to dissolve the reinstated
house and called for fresh polls.
Meanwhile, candidates campaigning for the 2023 elections raised several issues
during election speeches and statements and focused on calling on the government
to take the necessary measures to improve the standard of living of Kuwaiti
citizens and raise their pay. Former MP Muhannad Al-Sayer said 70-80 percent of
Kuwaitis, or 94,000 families – almost half the population of native Kuwaitis –
live in rental apartments in one of the richest countries of the world.
Candidate Jenan Bushehri, a former minister, said monopoly over state land is
killing the hopes and ambitions of young Kuwaitis in establishing their own
projects. Former MP Saadoun Hammad said Kuwaitis are frustrated because their
salaries have not been increased since 2008, blaming the 2022 Assembly for
failing to defend the rights of citizens. He said that this led some Kuwaiti
voters to abandon the election because they were disappointed with the previous
Assembly.
Candidate Mubarak Al-Tasha said Kuwait is passing through a crucial and delicate
period in its history, as some people are trying to distort and change the
political scene to take the country back to the corruption era. Candidate Falah
Al-Subaei said repeated political disputes in the Assembly made it forget the
demands and rights of the people, who are suffering from deteriorating public
services. He said only change in the Assembly members and fresh blood can
achieve the aspirations of the people.