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Kuwaitis vote for new parliament amid boycott Kuwait election: Shia candidates suffer at polls
(about 11 hours later)
Voters in Kuwait have cast their ballots in the second parliamentary election in less than a year. Kuwait's minority Shia MPs have lost more than half of their seats in the second parliamentary election in less than a year, official results show.
The vote was triggered by a ruling from the constitutional court that dissolved the previous parliament, elected in December, over a procedural flaw. Shia candidates won eight seats in the 50-member parliament, compared with a record 17 in the ballot in December.
The vote is being boycotted by some opposition groups. Liberal and tribal groups have emerged the main winners. Voter turnout was an estimated 52.5%, which was higher than expected despite an opposition boycott.
The previous parliament was dissolved in December over a procedural flaw.
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. New rules
The law allowed each voter to choose just one candidate at the ballot box, down from four previously. Observers say the election represents a blow to Shia MPs, who in December won their biggest tally to date. Shia form 30% of the country's 1.2 million population.
Opponents said the new rules were designed to weaken the opposition, and that changes to the voting system should be agreed by parliament. Liberal MPs, who were not represented in the previous parliament, have won three seats, while tribal groups maintained their 24 seats, local media report.
Meanwhile, opposition groups ranging from liberals to Islamists and tribal leaders boycotted both this and the December election in protest at an electoral law decreed by Kuwait's emir last October.
The law, which sparked mass protests, allows each voter to choose just one candidate at the ballot box, down from four previously.
Opponents said the new rules were designed to allow the ruling al-Sabah family to manipulate the election outcome, and that changes to the voting system should be agreed by parliament.
However, some opposition candidates participated in Saturday's vote.However, some opposition candidates participated in Saturday's vote.
Kuwait's parliament has lawmaking powers and can hold government ministers to account. Despite scorching temperatures, Saturday's turnout beat the record low 40% in December. Average turnout in Kuwaiti polls is reported to be around 65%.
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. Political parties are banned in Kuwait. Instead the tribal, religious and sectarian loyalties define the work of the parliament, which has lawmaking powers and can hold government ministers to account.
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. 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 the al-Sabah family occupying the top posts.
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.
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.