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| Kuwait votes for first female MPs | Kuwait votes for first female MPs |
| (5 days later) | |
| Kuwait has elected its first female MPs following the oil-rich 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. | 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 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. |
| There are no political parties in Kuwait; the prime minister appoints ministers most of whom are unelected. | There are no political parties in Kuwait; the prime minister appoints ministers most of whom are unelected. |
| "It's a victory for Kuwaiti women and a victory for Kuwaiti democracy," Ms Awadhi told AFP news agency. | "It's a victory for Kuwaiti women and a victory for Kuwaiti democracy," Ms Awadhi told AFP news agency. |
| "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. | "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. |
| 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. | 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 | 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 elections | Q&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 had 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 after casting his vote for four 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 $5bn 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. |