Kuwait Emir bans voting rights for naturalised citizens in new decree
Kuwait’s emir approved a decree that removes the right to vote, run for office, or be appointed from naturalised citizens.
On August 23, Kuwait’s emir signed a decree that eliminates voting, candidacy, and appointment rights for citizens who acquired nationality through naturalisation. The amendment, announced by Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, modifies the Nationality Law to explicitly exclude naturalised individuals from any parliamentary participation. This step follows a mass revocation campaign launched in 2024 that has affected tens of thousands of people.
Previous reforms had already barred naturalised Kuwaitis from running for office or being appointed, and had ended naturalisation by marriage for women and cancelled citizenships granted to wives since 1987. The decree also targets dual nationals and those suspected of obtaining citizenship fraudulently. Analysts interpret the measures as an effort to restrict nationality to those with blood ties, reshape national identity, and potentially shrink the voter base after years of political crisis.
Why it matters
The decree reshapes Kuwait's electorate and citizenship rules, affecting thousands and altering the country's political landscape.
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