Speaking to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity, the sources said that recent discussions among opposition groups focused on coming up with a work plan that avoids confrontations and in which every step would be in line with the law.
One of the options discussed was forming a shadow parliament “to monitor the work of the executive and legislative authorities with regards to progress in fighting corruption and commitment to the constitution,” according to the source. Separately, former MP Falah Al-Sawagh announced leading a movement in the fifth constituency to urge the voters to boycott the upcoming elections, the date for which could be postponed to next October, depending on an explanation to be released by the Constitutional Court today for last week’s ruling that upheld the single-vote system.
Al-Sawagh’s statements came a day after a gathering of the members of his Awazem tribe during which its leader Sheikh Falah Bin Jame urged his tribesmen to vote.
“The majority of the Awazem tribesmen approve of the boycott call as hundreds of them pledged to boycott after (Sunday night’s) gathering,” he told Al-Rai. Al-Sawagh argued that hundreds of Awazem tribe members walked out of the gathering in which former MPs Salem Al-Namlan, Badr Al- Dahoum and he himself advocated a rejection of all calls to vote.
“We were carried on the shoulders of our tribesmen, and hundreds of them accompanied us to Al-Namlan’s dewaniya where they vowed to continue boycotting,” he added. Al-Dahoum also argued in a separate statement that a majority of the members of the Awazem tribe, the largest in Kuwait, plan to boycott the elections.
Meanwhile, Al-Qabas reported yesterday quoting “informed sources” that the tribesmen in all but the third constituency launched preparations to declare outlawed the by-elections in which candidates will be chosen to represent their respective tribes in the upcoming elections.
In a related note, former MP Mohammad Hayef announced that he does not plan to contest in the upcoming elections, although he rejected plans to boycott.
Hayef was one of more than 30 oppositionists who boycotted last December’s elections held as per the singlevote system that was enforced in keeping with the emergency decree released by HH the Amir following dissolution of the parliament.
Hayef said in his recent announcement that he changed his mind based on “the need to give priority to combating corruption ahead of personal interests.”
In other news, the Kuwait Democratic Forum released a statement announcing it will boycott the upcoming elections, but also indicated that it will not stop any members from contesting if they planned to do so.
