US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT1016

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001016 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI BERNS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KWMN, PHUM, KDEM, KU, WOMEN'S POLITICAL RIGHTS, FREEDOM AGENDA 
SUBJECT: KUWAITI ELECTORATE TO JUMP 160% IF WOMEN VOTE; 
POLL SHOWS PUBLIC SUPPORT 
 
REF: KUWAIT 944 
 
1. If the National Assembly grants Kuwaiti women the right to 
vote, women will become a vital political constituency as 
they will constitute 61% of eligible voters. The overall 
electorate will more than double to 39% of the total citizen 
population (cited as 956,000) from 15% today. According to 
Al-Shall Economic Consultants, in a report summarized in an 
English-language newspaper March 13, the number of potential 
voters would increase to 372,000 from the current base of 
143,000, which represents Kuwaiti men at least 21 years of 
age who do not serve in the military or any security service. 
The military exclusion disqualifies 29% of male voters. 
(Note: The electorate numbers represent the total eligible 
voters but not necessarily the number of people who will 
register to vote or ultimately cast a ballot. End note.) 
Women outnumber men in the 21  category by 26,000. All 
figures are based on CY 2004 statistics. 
 
2. The newspaper also reported that a government-sponsored 
poll revealed that 51% of Kuwaitis support full political 
rights for women while 29% oppose the idea. Were women only 
allowed to vote but not seek elected office, the level of 
support jumps to 71%. The poll, conducted in conjunction with 
Kuwait University, was based on a random sample of 2,000 
Kuwaiti men and women. 
 
3. Comment: Women's voting rights remains a hot topic in the 
press and during diwaniya visits. Opinions heard from 
contacts jibe with the opinion poll in that people believe 
the women's suffrage bill will pass, but narrowly. End 
comment. 
LEBARON