Women practice democracy, take part in mock vote

Women practice democracy, take part in mock vote KUWAIT, July 5 (KUNA) -- With Kuwaiti men taking part in elections to choose candidates for the 2003 National Assembly, Kuwaiti women are also taking part in democratic festivities by engaging in a mock-vote at the Kuwaiti Journalists Association (KJA) headquarters. In contrary to practice, voting began at 09:30 with women arriving at the headquarters to choose their candidates in the various electoral districts. Organizing committee member Fatma Hussein told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that this symbolic participation of electing MP's is an expression of legal rights to vote and run for office. She added that this is a right that certain people are attempting to block and override. No nation in the world can continue its development process without looking into the potential of women and investing her talents, particularly in the field of politics, Hussein commented. Kuwaiti women do not need to raise their voices in order to demand their political rights or find a loophole in the constitution or election by-laws to support this right, as it is already clear-cut, she added Salwa Al-Azmi from the 21st constituency was the first woman to cast her ballot in the mock-vote, who said she was very pleased with the idea, even though it was merely symbolic. She said that it allowed Kuwaiti women to get a feel of democracy.
Al-Azmi said she is against giving women the right to run for office and enter parliament as an MP, but she is in support of the right to vote, adding that such a decision would change many political balances in the country. Meanwhile, the first man to cast his vote alongside women at the mock-vote was Kuwaiti writer Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh, who said that he had faith in women's rights, which is what led to him to arrive at the KJA and cast his vote. Al-Saleh expects that the change in results, with the inclusion of women, will near 50 percent, which will create an Assembly similar to that of 1999. He confirmed his belief that granting women their political rights will once again get turned down with this next parliament, unless the government sees the matter differently. Mock-voting at the KJA is eligible for all Kuwaiti women over the age of 18 with a Civil ID, spanning the various constituencies. Two candidates are chosen from the electoral district that the voter belongs to. (end) gh.naa