Kuwait opposition rallies ahead of crucial verdict

Thousands of Kuwait opposition supporters rallied on Monday ahead of a crucial court ruling on an electoral constituency law amid rising tensions in the oil-rich Gulf state. Around 10,000 people, who filled the seaside square opposite the parliament building, cheered loudly as opposition figures called for an elected government and warned against what they called a politicised ruling. "Tomorrow could be the start of a new round of political disputes," warned Islamist MP Jamaan al-Harbash. The constitutional court is scheduled to rule on Tuesday if the electoral constituency law is in line with the constitution based on a request submitted by the government last month. "Any politicised verdict could lead to protesters filling the streets... we warn that the court's ruling may take Kuwait into a dark tunnel," stressed opposition MP Khaled al-Tahous. The latest round of political tension in Kuwait comes after the government last month brushed aside strong objections by the opposition and asked the court to rule if the constituency law was in breach of the constitution. Opposition leaders had claimed the move was an attempt by the government, controlled by the Al-Sabah ruling family, to unilaterally change the constitutional system in place for a half century. The law, which divides the OPEC member into five electoral districts, was passed by parliament in 2006 following popular rallies demanding to reform the election process. Parliamentary elections were held on the basis of the law in 2008 and 2009, in addition to February 2012 which the constitutional court nullified in June on the grounds of procedural flaws. The constitutional court will either approve the law as in line with the constitution or declare it unconstitutional which requires to have a new law before the next general election is held. Speakers also demanded deep political reforms, mainly the formation of a government based on election results. In an unprecedented verdict, the court scrapped the opposition-dominated parliament in June and reinstated the previous pro-government house elected in 2009 after it was dissolved in December following youth-led protests. The opposition has demanded the 2009 parliament be swiftly dissolved and fresh elections held. Kuwait has been rocked by a series of political crises since 2006 during which the government resigned nine times and parliament was dissolved on five occasions.