Women's Suffrage In Brunei: A Right To Vote?

Brunei is one of the few countries in the world where neither women nor men are allowed to vote in national elections. The country has been ruled by a sultan since a rebellion in 1962, and there are no national elections as the sultan heads both the state and the government. While Brunei does have universal suffrage for those aged 18 and above in village leader elections, its citizens are unable to vote for their overall leader.

Brunei is a monarchy with no national elections

The Sultan holds absolute power and has been the country's prime minister, minister of finance, defence, foreign and home affairs since its independence in 1984. The country has not held any direct parliamentary elections since 1962, and while village-level councils are elected, the government screens the candidates. The Sultan's power is further protected by the lack of national elections, which limits legitimate political involvement and prevents opposition forces from gaining prominence.

Brunei's political system is based on the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) state philosophy, which combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. The country gained independence from British rule in 1984 and has operated as a constitutional monarchy since. The Sultan's power is not absolute, as he rules in accordance with the 1959 Brunei Constitution, which established five councils: the Religious Council, the Privy Council, the Executive Council, the Legislative Council, and the Council of Succession.

The Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the Sultan, is responsible for creating laws, overseeing budgets, and voicing objections to actions taken by the executive branch. While it has the power to question and answer with government representatives and formally approve the state budget, it has no independent authority. The council meets once a year for a two-week session, contributing to the overall lack of transparency in the Bruneian government.

Men and women can vote for village leaders

Brunei is a monarchy led by a sultan, who rules the state and the government. The sultan is advised by several councils, whose members are appointed by the sultan, and there are no national elections in the country. This political system was established after a rebellion in 1962, and the country has been in a state of emergency under martial law ever since.

Despite the lack of national elections, Brunei does allow men and women to vote for village leaders. This is a right afforded to all citizens over the age of 18. While this is a step towards equality, it is important to note that Brunei still has a long way to go in terms of women's rights. The U.S. Department of State has stated that discrimination against women is an issue in the country.

The right for men and women to vote for village leaders is a positive step towards gender equality in Brunei. However, it is just one aspect of a much broader issue. Women's suffrage is a fundamental human right that should be guaranteed to all, and it is encouraging to see that Brunei has taken some steps in this direction.

While Brunei does allow men and women to vote for village leaders, there are still many areas where the country falls short in terms of gender equality. For example, the law in Brunei stipulates that males receive twice the inheritance of women, and spousal rape is not criminalised as long as the wife is not under 13 years of age. These are just a few examples of the challenges that women in Brunei continue to face.

It is important to recognise that the right to vote for village leaders, while significant, does not negate the other inequalities that women in Brunei may face. The country has taken a positive step forward, but there is still a long way to go to ensure that women are afforded the same rights, protections, and opportunities as their male counterparts in all aspects of life.

Universal suffrage for those 18+ in village leader elections

Brunei is a monarchy, with the sultan as the head of state and government. The sultan is advised by several councils with members appointed by himself, so there are no national elections in the country. The government has been run this way since a rebellion in 1962, and the country exists in a state of emergency under martial law. Although men and women cannot vote on a national level, Brunei does have universal suffrage for those aged 18 and over in village leader elections.

Universal suffrage for those 18 and over in village leader elections is a positive step towards democratic participation in Brunei. It allows for direct involvement in decision-making at the local level, giving citizens a say in who represents their interests and needs. This can foster a sense of civic engagement and empower individuals to take an active role in their communities.

The implementation of universal suffrage for village leader elections in Brunei is a significant development, especially considering the country's lack of national-level elections. It demonstrates a recognition of the importance of local representation and the value of citizen participation in governance. This can be seen as a step towards a more inclusive and responsive form of leadership at the village level.

The right to vote for individuals over the age of 18 in village leader elections is a step towards political inclusion in Brunei. It provides an opportunity for citizens to choose their local leaders and hold them accountable. This can promote transparency and good governance at the village level, as leaders are elected through a democratic process.

However, it is important to note that the impact of this universal suffrage is limited to the village level, and Brunei still has a long way to go in terms of national-level democracy and gender equality. The country's monarchy system, with its appointed councils, remains in place, and there are concerns about the protection of basic rights, particularly for the most vulnerable groups. Nonetheless, universal suffrage for those 18 and over in village leader elections is a positive step that can contribute to a culture of democratic values and civic participation in Brunei.

The country has been in a state of emergency since 1962

Brunei has been under a state of emergency since 1962, two years after a small armed rebellion against the monarchy, known as the Brunei Revolt, which was indirectly related to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. The revolt was suppressed with British assistance, and it led to the ban of the pro-independence Brunei People's Party. The uprising also influenced the Sultan's decision not to join the Malaysian Federation.

Since 1962, the Sultan has retained absolute authority through emergency powers, renewed biennially. This means that, technically, Brunei has been under martial law for the last six decades. The emergency powers allow the Sultan to govern with few limitations on his authority. The Legislative Council, composed of appointed, indirectly elected, and ex officio members, has a purely consultative role in recommending and approving legislation and budgets.

The country's political system is governed by the 1959 Constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). The three components of MIB cover Malay culture, Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy. Brunei's 1959 Constitution makes the Sultan the Supreme Head of State, with full executive authority.

The country's wealth comes from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. This has allowed Brunei to provide extensive social services to its population, including free education and health care. Brunei's political stability is maintained by the House of Bolkiah, which provides a welfare state for its citizens.

Brunei is one of two countries where women cannot vote

Brunei is a monarchy, with a sultan who heads the state and government. The sultan is advised by several councils with members he appoints, so there are no national elections in the country. This system of government has been in place since a rebellion in 1962, and the country nominally exists in a state of emergency under martial law. While women cannot vote at the national level, Brunei does have universal suffrage for those aged 18 and older in elections for village leaders.

The lack of voting rights for women in Brunei and Saudi Arabia stands in contrast to the situation in most other countries, where women are allowed to vote in at least some elections. The most recent country to grant women the full right to vote was Bhutan in 2008, which changed from a family voting system to an individual voting system. In other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, neither men nor women are allowed to vote for the overall leader, but a small percentage of both genders were allowed to vote for members of a national advisory council in 2011.

Frequently asked questions