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Kuwait votes for new parliament Kuwait votes for first female MPs
(about 7 hours later)
People in the oil rich state of Kuwait have voted in the country's third general election in three years. Kuwait has elected its first female MPs following the oil-rich country's third general election in three years.
US-educated Aseel al-Awadhi and Rola Dashti were among winners in the third district, official results declared.
The 10 leading candidates from each of Kuwait's five electoral districts are elected to the 50-seat parliament.
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. There are no political parties in Kuwait; the prime minister appoints ministers most of whom are unelected.
Some 16 female candidates are standing, hoping to win election as the first women MPs in Kuwait. "It's a victory for Kuwaiti women and a victory for Kuwaiti democracy," Ms Awadhi told AFP news agency.
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. "This is a major leap forward," she said. The right to vote and stand for election to Kuwait's parliament, the oldest in the Gulf, was extended to women in 2005.
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. Former Health Minister Massouma al-Mubarak, who became the first Kuwaiti woman to be appointed to a ministerial post in 2005, and Salwa al-Jassar, have also secured seats in parliament.
Frozen development
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.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
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.
They still hold the post of prime minister as well as the key defence, interior and foreign affairs portfolios.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. Many voters had complained about the frozen development caused by the political gridlock.
"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. "Men don't have credibility anymore. We're fed up with crises." Ibrahim al-Attar told AP news agency after casting his vote for four female candidates.
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. One of the first tasks awaiting the new parliament will be to vote on a $5bn stimulus package designed to help the financial sector of the oil-rich state cope with the global economic downturn.