Hundreds of thousands of Kuwaitis cast their ballot to elect the country’s next Parliament on Thursday, hopeful new policies aimed at reducing voter manipulation would result in the most representative general assembly in a generation.
For decades, elections for 50 representative seats that make up the bulk of Kuwait’s 65-member Parliament have been mired in residential bloc manipulation. They have also featured predetermined, tribal-based voting and bribing schemes involving candidates indirectly offering citizens 500KWD (Dh5,915) for their ballot.
To counter this, the government has clamped down on voter manipulation and introduced a two-step identification system. This has led many Kuwaitis to view this election, known locally as “democracy’s wedding”, as the most important vote in their lifetimes and a real chance to effect change.
“This time, I think things will be different,” said Sara Al Asfar, 24, one of the almost 800,000 Kuwaitis over the age of 21 eligible to vote. “Even though it’s the first time I go to vote, I’m hopeful change will come. We want to see improvement in our country, from our roads to the entertainment options. It’s important to go out and vote for who you believe will make that change happen.”
Voter turnout has declined in recent years with political confidence also dwindling after a string of parliamentary dissolutions. These have led to only one Parliament carrying out its term in decades.
Kuwaitis say they are desperate for change. Many are asking for more female political representation and equal rights, as well as a clampdown on corruption that has caused a deterioration in the country’s basic infrastructure and civil services.
“I’m a true believer in having both genders in the national assembly, to represent our views and our needs, because we’re both living in the same community. It’s important to have representation so our voices can be heard,” said Fatema Al Matouq, 35, who works at a regional non-government organisation that helps Arab students to prepare for work.
Of the 305 candidates running for Parliament, only 22 are women.
Ms Al Matouq said she wanted Kuwait’s new Parliament to address women’s constitutional rights and change laws that undermine gender equality. She said representatives must engage with people, reassess the nation’s top priorities, and drive their policy-making through data-based decision-making.
Many Kuwaitis believe their vote matters more this year than ever before. Part of this sentiment comes from the nation’s belief in its proud, albeit underachieving, democratically elected Parliament. But in large part, it stems from the government’s recent campaign against voter manipulation.
“For the first time in my life, I’ve seen a voting system that really values organising the process, and ensuring a true representation of the people,” said Saud Al Barrak, 75, who is retired. “It makes me happy; it makes me proud, and it makes it different this time around.”
Each Kuwaiti is allowed a single non-transferable vote, down from five in previous years. Voters are segmented into five 10-seat constituencies based on residential voting blocs.
Previously, all that was required for voters to register was their citizenship certificate and a tenant’s lease as proof of residence. The lack of civil identification and fabricated leases allowed Kuwaitis to register in voting blocs outside their residential areas. This skewed results and disproportionately favoured candidates willing to exploit the system.
However, for the first time in more than 60 years, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice has made it mandatory for voters to show not only their certificate of citizenship, but also their civil identification cards. Authorities have also enforced strict laws against voter buyouts.
Several clampdowns have resulted in investigations into candidates in each of the five districts, but Kuwaitis say the shakedown sufficed.
“As cynical as I am, I think it’s the only way we are given a chance to make a change, and when we’re ready, I want to be a part of that,” Mohammed AlSarraf, a 40-year-old Kuwaiti businessman, said of the election. He sees the recent policies aimed at changing the electoral process as a step in the right direction — and says now people must play their part and vote.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
New Zealand 15
Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions: B Barrett
Penalties: B Barrett
British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly
