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The democratic process in Kuwait has always stood as a benchmark for other countries in the Gulf region to follow. It built its reputation on transparency, respect for diversity, neutrality, and facilitating dissent and enabling opposing voices to speak out. Hence the recent crackdown by Kuwait police on organisers of illegal tribal primaries is no doubt disappointing.
With these tribal primaries taking place ahead of the upcoming national elections, the two sides clashed because the primaries lacked a legal basis. The primaries were carried out separately and in complete isolation from the general elections. In fact, the turn of events as such is alarming - as well as dangerous - for a nation such as Kuwait, as the society's diversity in terms of political stands spans a wide political spectrum. The best means to practicing democracy is by following its basic principle of being encompassing and inclusive of all.
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