Charts & Numbers

By now we should understand the link between politics and the economy. For this reason I would like to be upto date with the political situation.Here is a list of candidates running in the 2008 elections:THE SALAFI MOVEMENT

• Dr. Mohammed Hassan Al-Kandari (district 1)
• Dr. Adel Al-Damkhi (district 1)
• Abdullatif Al-Omairi (district 2)
• Abdul Rahman Al-Mutawwa (district 2)
• Ahmed Bodai (district 2)
• Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabae (district 3)
• Dr. Ali Al-Omair (district 3)

THAWBIT AL-UMMA GROUP

• Mohammad Hayef (district 4)

TRIBESMutairi tribe

• Turki Saud (district 1)

Kandari tribe

• Abdullah Al-Kandari (undeclared)

INDEPENDENTS

• Falah Al-Hajraf (district 4)
• Nabila Al-Anjari (undeclared)
• Naeema Al-Haay (undeclared)
• Nabila Al-Amairi (undeclared)
• Sultan Al-Deweesh (district 4)
• Dr Hamad Al-Tuwaijri (district 3)
• Khalifa Al-Khorafi (district 4)
• Thekra Al-Rashidi (district 4)
• Mohammad Al-Obaid (district 5)
• Waleed Al-Asaimi (district3)

Also note that official registration has not begun. In previous elections vote buying was prevalent among candidates but with 5  districts and voters running upto 100,000 a district this method is not feasible. An ‘indirect’ way of vote-buying is prevalent these days. Voters are offered employment, diwaniyas and even housing repairs. In one of the wealthiest countries on the planet bribery and corruption are sadly the norm.

“During previous elections, candidates used to buy extra votes which will be added with the already guaranteed ones”      - Unknown      

The new strategy is forming a 3-member list (out of 4 votes/voter). It is rumored that most groups have finalized their lists but are reluctant to announce fearing the formation of new coalition groups. The Constitutional Islamic Group (Hadas) and the Salafi Movement have not decided on forming an alliance yet. This is because Hadas has chosen its candidates while the Salafi group is still considering the matter.Sources are the Financial Times, al-Qabas, Gulf News & Kuwait Times