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Saudi Arabia·Middle East·Elections·Democracy·Human Rights

Kuwait bars naturalized citizens from voting or standing for parliament

Monday, 24 August 2026, 06:43 · 1 min read

Kuwait's ruler, Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has issued a decree permanently stripping naturalized citizens of the right to vote, stand as candidates, or be appointed to any parliamentary body — removing even the limited political participation they previously held after a mandatory 30-year waiting period. The measure is part of a sweeping citizenship review launched in 2024 that has seen tens of thousands lose Kuwaiti nationality over allegations of fraud, dual citizenship, and unlawful acquisition; the campaign also ended the practice of granting citizenship through marriage and expanded grounds for revocation. The move is particularly significant in Kuwait (a wealthy Gulf state where citizens are a demographic minority and hold extensive economic and social privileges over residents), and comes while the country's elected parliament remains suspended following the Emir's dissolution of the assembly in May 2024.

Sources
BBC Arabicالكويت تلغي حق المجنّسين في الاقتراع في الانتخابات النيابية ↗︎
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