FREEDOM AGENDA: PLANNING MINISTER ON ELECTORAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004740 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2015 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KWMN KU FREEDOM AGENDA SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: PLANNING MINISTER ON ELECTORAL REFORM; REDISTRICTING TO HELP WOMEN REF: A. KUWAIT 4647 ¶B. KUWAIT 4352 ¶C. KUWAIT 4325 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reason 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) Summary. Planning Minister Dr. Masouma Al-Mubarak told the Ambassador during a November 12 meeting that reduction of the number of electoral districts was a GOK priority and would pave the way for additional political reforms, and facilitate the participation of women in the 2007 national elections. She said that studies were underway to assess appropriate district size based on district boundaries and the anticipated registration of 200,000 women voters. She commented that the time was not yet right to consider forming political parties. She reported her ministry was finalizing Kuwait's five-year plan, which it hoped would be approved by the National Assembly before the start of the new fiscal year on April 1, 2006. She expressed appreciation for the MEPI-funded regional campaign school held in late September and welcomed additional workshops to prepare Kuwaiti women to become active participants in Kuwait's political life. End Summary. Women Need Redistricting -------------- ¶2. (C) During a November 12 meeting, Minister of Planning and State Minister for Administrative Development Dr. Masouma Al-Mubarak told the Ambassador that reducing the number of electoral districts was an important means to achieve progress on political reform. She affirmed the Council of Minister's support for redistricting and said most Members of Parliament recognize the status quo is not working. The problem was identifying a solution that would succeed. She reported a study was underway to determine how many voters would be in each district if the number of districts were reduced to ten or even five. The team was also looking at district boundaries. If the current 25 districts were reduced to ten with the same boundaries as in 1962 when the constitution was adopted, (and when there were ten districts),some districts would have less than 6,000 voters and others more than 25,000 if women were included. Although women, once registered to vote, are expected to represent 57% of the electorate, Dr. Masouma said that without redistricting, a woman could not be elected. Ten districts would even the playing field, but five districts, which is unlikely, would be even better for women's full political participation. Dr. Masouma noted that the constitution prohibits only one electoral district. (Note: Article 81 of the constitution stipulates, "Electoral constituencies shall be determined by law." End note.) She also said that limiting the number of candidates per district was under consideration (ref A). Activating The Women's Vote -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Further commenting on women's participation in the 2007 parliamentary elections, Dr. Masouma said Kuwait University and the Women's Social and Cultural Society would launch November 14 a campaign to encourage women to register to vote. Voter registration occurs every February and Dr. Masouma and other reform advocates are calling for the process to begin earlier to accommodate the 200,000 women eligible to register. GOK officials are also considering a proposal allow citizens to use their civil IDs to registers, substantially simplifying the process (ref B). She told the Ambassador she was pleased to participate in the MEPI-funded regional campaign school organized by NDI and IRI and welcomed similar activities, especially those with a Kuwait-specific focus. She further stressed the importance of consulting with Kuwaitis on developing beneficial, thematic programs, and avoiding charges of outside interference. Political Parties Not a Top Priority -------------- ¶4. (C) When queried on the formation of political parties, Dr. Masouma said parties were among the GOK's objectives, but the time was not yet right, the reform agenda was already full. Ranking above parties were women's participation, redistricting, and lowering the voting age from 21. She added that Kuwait had watched the Arab world's experiences with political parties and did not want to repeat their neighbors' mistakes. Kuwait hoped to benefit from the establishment of parties and use them as a tool for reform by promoting political agendas and curbing acrimony stemming from religious differences. KUWAIT 00004740 002 OF 002 Preparing Kuwait's Five-Year Plan -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Turning to her six months in office, she described her calendar as packed and wished for a longer day. She said her ministry was in the final stages of preparing Kuwait's five-year plan for parliamentary approval and its passage would be a significant achievement. The plan sets economic, social, educational, health, and development goals for 2006-2011. By law, it requires approval by Parliament, but the last time the legislative body approved a plan was in ¶1986. She hoped to present the plan before the end of November and consult with MPs and parliamentary committees so that the plan could be adopted by the start of the new fiscal year on April 1, 2006. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LEBARON