Kuwait

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is using public opinion polling to generate debate on relevant issues within Kuwaiti society. The polls measure constituent priorities, encourage voter participation especially among first-time women participants, and increase the capacity of local partners to conduct public opinion research that meets international standards.

In early 2006, IRI, in cooperation with the Kuwait Economic Society (KES), completed the first-ever public opinion poll in the country. The polls findings help to inform Kuwait’s political actors to public attitudes about issue priorities, the performance of parliament and levels of political support. The information gained helps officials and other leaders better understand the priorities of their constituents so that they can better address them.

IRI and KES conducted additional opinion polls in late 2006 and spring 2007. This ongoing work is helping to identify trends in public opinion, including perceptions of how the country is progressing and how constituent priorities are being addressed.

Kuwait's long history of parliamentary representation is a point of pride in the country and is widely admired throughout the Gulf Region. Kuwait's independence from the United Kingdom in 1961 opened the door for the Gulf's first constitution, ratified in 1962, followed closely by the introduction of the region's first elected parliament, the Majles al-Umma, in 1963. Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, with the Emir having the power to dissolve the Majles and call new elections.

The May 2005 passage of a bill allowing women to vote for the first time, combined with an Emiri decree automatically registering all women, marked a turning point in the country's political evolution. In June 2006, women ran for parliament for the first time, and although they did not win any seats, the election provided women with an opportunity to participate in the political process as candidates.

Political Overview

Chief of State: Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

Type of Government: constitutional hereditary emirate

Suffrage: adult males aged 21 and older who are not in the military forces, and adult females aged 21 and older; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years

Elections Calendar

Program Overview

Focus of Program: civic participation and public opinion polling

Funding Source: National Endowment for Democracy