Kuwaiti royal to contest Nov 26 polls

A Kuwaiti royal Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, on October 19, 2016 registered as a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in November 26. Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

KUWAIT CITY // A member of Kuwait’s ruling family on Wednesday announced his candidacy for the next parliamentary election, in a country where royals normally stay away from polls.

Sheikh Malek Humoud Al-Sabah was among 71 candidates who filed to stand for next month’s election on Wednesday, the first day of registration.

“The previous assembly let down the Kuwaiti people and I am contesting the polls to defend the rights of the people,” said Sheikh Malek.

Under the Kuwaiti constitution, royals are eligible to run for public office.

In 54 years of democracy, only a few royals have registered as candidates, but all have dropped out before election day.

The last royal to register their candidacy was Sheikh Fahad Salem Al Ali Al-Sabah, who withdrew before the 2006 election.

Members of the Al-Sabah family, which has been in power for 250 years, still occupy the key political posts.

The emir, crown prince and prime ministers are senior members of the family, and royals always occupy the key posts of foreign, defence and interior minister.

Some opposition members were planning to return after a four-year boycott. Only two former opposition lawmakers registered on Wednesday but as independents, while many opposition groups have decided to take part after boycotting the previous two elections in protest against changes to the voting system.

The November 26 polls were called after Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah dissolved parliament on Sunday, following conflicts over petrol price hikes.

Many candidates blame the outgoing parliament for failing to defend the interests of citizens.

Under Kuwait’s unique system of democracy, a senior ruling family member will be mandated to form a government regardless of poll outcome.

* Agence France-Presse