KUWAIT: Five candidates have submitted their applications on the fifth day of candidacy to run for the upcoming parliamentary by-elections slated for March 16. Election affairs department received applications of five candidates, including a woman. They are running for two seats in the second and the third constituencies, the Interior Ministry said in a statement yesterday. Candidates can submit their bids until February 16, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Municipality is on full alert with regards to the by-elections in terms of issuing campaign headquarter and ad licenses and removing any possible violations. The municipality stressed that candidates should themselves apply to the municipality's cleaning and road blockage department in their respective constituencies to obtain licenses for their campaign headquarters. The municipality added that once all conditions are met, including providing parking spaces that are at least 500 meters away from other campaign headquarters and 200 meters from nearby houses, candidates should pay a KD 500 deposit.

On February 4, the government assigned the Interior Ministry to prepare for organizing by-elections for 2nd and 3rd constituencies on March 16 after the Court of Cassation slammed prison sentences on two MPs. The two seats became vacant after the Court of Cassation sentenced two MPs, during a session on July 8, 2018, for three and a half years behind bars. - KUNA

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and KUNA