While the Constitutional Court is expected to pass a verdict on the constitutionality of the five-constituencies electoral system by the end of September, the opposition bloc reiterated their commitment to boycott future elections if the verdict requires that the system be changed.

Twenty two members from the bloc agreed during a meeting late Wednesday to “unify their political speech” and ensure that each member obtain the bloc’s approval before making any statement on a subject that reflects the bloc’s general opinion.

“All the smear campaigns claiming that the bloc is suffering internal conflicts are nonsense,” said MP Faisal Al-Mislem in a statement following the meeting hosted at his diwaniya.

The lawmaker further insisted that the bloc; a coalition of oppositionists who dominated majority seats in the annulled 2012 parliament have”unanimously agreed to participate in the Iradah Square demonstration next Monday.”

According to sources, the bloc agreed to assign its coordination committee to handle preparations for the formation of the ‘National Front for the Protection of the Constitution.’

The preparations include “contacting national personalities known for their strong stand in defense of the Constitution, as well as forming a media team to respond to fierce attacks that the bloc is subjected to through media outlets,” said sources who spoke to Al-Qabas.

The sources also spoke about other topics discussed during the meeting, including an agreement to “seek help from constitutional law professors before devising future ideas,” in addition to agreeing to hold weekly meetings “with the next date set next Tuesday at MP Mubarak Al-Waalan’s diwaniya.” In addition, the bloc plans to prepare an assessment of the present situation after Monday’s mass protest, sources added.

The bloc is expected during the protest that is organized by the opposition-oriented Nahj group and in future statements to continue focusing primarily on “rejecting the notion of forcing the judiciary into the political infighting, demanding that the Cabinet roll back on the challenge on the constitutionality of the five-constituency electoral system, in addition to pressing for prompt dissolution of the 2009 parliament followed by immediate call for elections held as per the current system, and refusing a new electoral system enforced solely by the Cabinet,” said sources.

Dr Al-Mislem explained that while the opposition respects “the Cabinet’s right to refer the electoral law to the Constitutional Court,” they have a problem with “using this right as a means to change the distribution of constituencies which are to be done through the Parliament,” insisting that the option of boycotting future elections is “a correct political step followed in the best democracies,” reported Al-Qabas.

Meanwhile, Al-Watan daily reported quoting sources close to Nahj group that “labor and students unions were invited to take part in Monday’s demonstration which is will feature all 34 members of the majority bloc.”

The sources noted that the group discussed with labor unions the possibility of carrying out strikes as part of public protest if the Cabinet changes the electoral constituencies by passing an ordinance.

These rumors were denied by the Kuwait Trade Union Federation (KTUF), who issued a statement yesterday (Friday) rejecting claims that they plan to launch a “mass strike” if the constituencies are changed. The group also agreed to refrain from committing provocative actions to avoid clashing with police.