Kuwait bars naturalized citizens from voting

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has approved a decree that prohibits naturalized citizens from voting, running for office, or being appointed to any parliamentary body. This significant amendment to the Kuwaiti Nationality Law comes two years after the emir dissolved parliament and initiated a widespread campaign to revoke citizenships.

Previously, naturalized Kuwaitis were eligible to vote 30 years after acquiring their nationality, though they were barred from seeking elected office or appointments. The new decree removes even this limited right, effectively disenfranchising a substantial portion of the population that gained citizenship through naturalization.

The move is part of a broader reformist agenda announced by the emir shortly after he assumed power in December 2023. Since 2024, Kuwait has been engaged in a mass revocation of citizenship, affecting tens of thousands of individuals. The revocations have targeted various groups, including women who acquired citizenship through marriage since 1987, individuals holding dual nationality (which Kuwait prohibits), and those who obtained citizenship fraudulently using forged documents.

Analysts suggest that this citizenship policy is strategically designed to restrict nationality to individuals with direct blood ties to Kuwait, a small, oil-rich nation. The aim appears to be a reshaping of Kuwaiti identity and a potential reduction of the electorate, particularly following years of political instability and crises.

The decree's implementation marks a significant shift in Kuwait's approach to citizenship and political participation, potentially altering the country's demographic and political landscape for years to come.