By Adnan Al-Failikawi
KUWAIT, April 29 (KUNA) -- Candidates for the May 16 National Assembly elections are holding seminars and competing to present their electoral agendas and views to voters, and this is an occasion where it is worth remembering the 1962 Constituent Assembly that laid foundation for the Kuwaiti Constitution.
As soon as Kuwait became independent on June 19, 1961, ending the January 23, 1899 agreement that was signed by the the seventh ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah with Britain, the state's 11th ruler Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah announced his desire to complete the establishment of government and constitutional bodies as soon as possible.
On August 26, 1961, only two months after signing the independence treaty, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem issued an Amiri Decree on establishing a ruling system based on clear strong foundations, as a prelude for issuing a constitution.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem ordered the formation of a committee of 11 people to establish the Constituent Assembly.
On September 6, 1961, the Constituent Assembly members' election law was issued, dividing Kuwait to ten electoral districts and stating that each district should elect two members.
According to the law, candidates had to be at least 30 years old and able to read and write, and that the Constituent Assemblt was to expire after one year from the day the election results were announced, unless the constitution said otherwise.
The elections, in which 20 people won seats in the assembly, were held on September 30 of the same year.
On the occasion of holding the Constituent Assembly's first session, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem gave a speech in which he emphasized on the importance of democracy in building a modern state.
During its first session, the assembly chose by acclamation Abdullateef Thunayan Al-Ghanim as its speaker, and on March 3, 1962, it formed a committee that consisted of late Father Ammir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Al-Ghanim, Yaqoub Al-Humaidhi, Homoud Al-Khalid, and Saoud Al-Abdulrazzaq to prepare a draft of the constitution.
After holding 23 sessions, the draft was ready, discussed and approved by the Constituent Assembly, then was presented to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem who endorsed it on November 8, 1962 and issued it on November 11.
Upon presenting the draft to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, Al-Ghanim said it was a historic day and expressed his hope that the constitution would achieve aspirations of the people.
On his part, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem thanked the committee for its sincere efforts and thanked Almighty Allah for realizing the desire for placing a constitution, that was based on democracy and suited the state's traditions and the nation's hopes.
On January 15, 1963, the Constituent Assembly held its closing session, and late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who was then acting deputy prime minister gave a speech, stressing that the assembly was successful in realizing the desire of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem.
Only seven days later, elections were held for the country's first National Assembly.
Kuwait Constitution includes 183 articles divided into five chapters. The first is on the state and system of government, the second is on fundamental constituents of the Kuwaiti society, and the third is about public rights and duties.
The fourth chapter is entitled authorities and consists of five parts on general provisions, the Amir's powers, the National Assembly, and the Executive and Judicial authorities, while the fifth part discusses general and transitional provisions.
Article 6 of the Constitution states, "The System of Government in Kuwait shall be democratic, under which sovereignty resides in the people, the source of all powers. Sovereignty shall be exercised in the manner specified in this Constitution". (end) adf.ris KUNA 291251 Apr 09NNNN