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Kuwait votes for new parliament Kuwait votes for new parliament
(about 19 hours later)
People in the oil rich state of Kuwait are going to the polls for the third time in three years. People in the oil rich state of Kuwait have voted in the country's third general election in three years.
The emir dissolved the previous parliament in March because it wanted to question his nephew, the prime minister, about alleged corruption.The emir dissolved the previous parliament in March because it wanted to question his nephew, the prime minister, about alleged corruption.
The resulting political intrigue and its economic effects are the main talking points of the election.The resulting political intrigue and its economic effects are the main talking points of the election.
More than a dozen female candidates are hoping to win election as the first women MPs in Kuwait. Some 16 female candidates are standing, hoping to win election as the first women MPs in Kuwait.
Political infighting in Kuwait is nothing new - it has been the mainstay of politics in the Gulf's oldest parliament for decades, but this election is being described by some as the fiercest they've ever known. They have a better chance than in previous campaigns, but they are still fighting an election in a largely tribal society - and some of their harshest critics are other women, according to the BBC's Julia Wheeler.
Many voters in the tiny desert state are fed up of the stalemate the intrigue has produced and the serious threats they see it bringing to Kuwait's oil dependent economy. There are no political parties in Kuwait; the prime minister appoints ministers most of whom are unelected, while the 50 member parliament is elected by the people.
Parliamentary pressure to investigate and question ministers on deals has previously seen the cabinet cancelling or delaying multi-billion dollar international projects and social development plans.
Q&A: Kuwait electionsQ&A: Kuwait elections
Parliamentary pressure to investigate and question ministers on deals has previously seen the cabinet cancelling or delaying multi-billion dollar international projects.
Social development plans have been postponed because of the ongoing impasse between government and MPs.
The dissolution of parliament two months ago has meant no legislation being passed - including a financial stimulus package aimed at countering the current global crisis.
During campaigning, anti-government feeling among some candidates has moved to a higher level - two people were arrested for criticising the ability of the ruling al-Sabah family to govern.During campaigning, anti-government feeling among some candidates has moved to a higher level - two people were arrested for criticising the ability of the ruling al-Sabah family to govern.
Although the Kuwaiti parliament has the strongest powers among Gulf legislatures, criticising the royal family is seen as a step too far. They still hold the post of prime minister as well as the key defence, interior and foreign affairs portfolios.
The al-Sabahs are not ready to loosen the reins of power - they still hold the post of prime minister as well as the key defence, interior and foreign affairs portfolios. Many voters have complained about the frozen development caused by the political gridlock.
Sixteen of the more than 200 hundred candidates are females hoping to become the first women MPs in Kuwait. "Men don't have credibility anymore. We're fed up with crises." Ibrahim al-Attar told AP news agency casting his vote for female candidates.
They have a better chance than in previous campaigns, but they are still fighting an election in a largely tribal society - and some of their harshest critics are other women. One of the first tasks awaiting the new parliament will be to vote on a $5b stimulus package designed to help the financial sector of the oil-rich state cope with the global economic downturn.