This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23469630
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Kuwaitis vote for new parliament amid boycott | Kuwaitis vote for new parliament amid boycott |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Voters in Kuwait have cast their ballots in the second parliamentary election in less than a year. | |
| The vote was triggered by a ruling from the constitutional court that dissolved the previous parliament, elected in December, over a procedural flaw. | The vote was triggered by a ruling from the constitutional court that dissolved the previous parliament, elected in December, over a procedural flaw. |
| The vote is being boycotted by some opposition groups. | The vote is being boycotted by some opposition groups. |
| Kuwait has one of the most empowered parliaments in the Gulf region, but constant political tension has crippled its work. | Kuwait has one of the most empowered parliaments in the Gulf region, but constant political tension has crippled its work. |
| Opposition groups ranging from liberals to Islamists and tribal leaders boycotted December's elections in protest at an electoral law decreed by Kuwait's emir last October which sparked mass protests. | Opposition groups ranging from liberals to Islamists and tribal leaders boycotted December's elections in protest at an electoral law decreed by Kuwait's emir last October which sparked mass protests. |
| The law allowed each voter to choose just one candidate at the ballot box, down from four previously. | The law allowed each voter to choose just one candidate at the ballot box, down from four previously. |
| Opponents said the new rules were designed to weaken the opposition, and that changes to the voting system should be agreed by parliament. | Opponents said the new rules were designed to weaken the opposition, and that changes to the voting system should be agreed by parliament. |
| However, some opposition candidates participated in Saturday's vote. | |
| Kuwait's parliament has lawmaking powers and can hold government ministers to account. | Kuwait's parliament has lawmaking powers and can hold government ministers to account. |
| However, the emir has the final say in matters of state. He also chooses the prime minister, who in turn picks a cabinet, with members of the ruling al-Sabah family occupying the top posts. | However, the emir has the final say in matters of state. He also chooses the prime minister, who in turn picks a cabinet, with members of the ruling al-Sabah family occupying the top posts. |
| Continuous paralysis in the country and six elections in the space of seven years have dented Kuwaitis' enthusiasm for the elections, the BBC's Carine Torbey reports from Kuwait City. | Continuous paralysis in the country and six elections in the space of seven years have dented Kuwaitis' enthusiasm for the elections, the BBC's Carine Torbey reports from Kuwait City. |
| The scorching heat and the long hours of fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan might also discourage voters from taking to the polls, our correspondent says. | The scorching heat and the long hours of fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan might also discourage voters from taking to the polls, our correspondent says. |
| Kuwait still prides itself on its more representative system but there is a growing concern that it is increasingly becoming dysfunctional, she adds. | Kuwait still prides itself on its more representative system but there is a growing concern that it is increasingly becoming dysfunctional, she adds. |
| Many say the political crises have prevented action on a growing number of challenges facing in the country, including sluggish infrastructure development and slow economic reforms. | Many say the political crises have prevented action on a growing number of challenges facing in the country, including sluggish infrastructure development and slow economic reforms. |