Kuwait was granted independence in 1961; in the same year it became a member of the Arab League, the Kuwait flag was hoisted on all governmental departments and institutions. In 1962 the Kuwaiti elected Constituent Assembly (50 members) convened to draft the Kuwaiti institution, in November, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah ratified the fist constitution of Kuwait. In January 1963, the first parliamentary elections were held; in the same month, the newly-elected national assembly convened. In May Kuwait became a member of the United Nations Organization. In November 1965, Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah came to power. In January 1978, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah became the ruler (Amir) of Kuwait. On the 31st of January 1978 H.H. the Amir recommended Sheikh Saad Al-Abadallah as Crown Prince and in February he was declared as the Prime Minister of Kuwait
The Emir appoints the cabinet and the state constitution provides for the election of a 50-man National Assembly (parliament). Elections to the new assembly took place in October 1992 to run for four years. At these elections the narrowly defined electorate (a mere 13% of Kuwaiti nationals and no women at all) elected the first opposition majority in Kuwait's history. Candidates advocating democratic reform won 31 of the 50 seats.