Kuwait votes amid boycott calls

Kuwait votes amid boycott calls (AFP) / 27 July 2013 Kuwaitis voted on Saturday in the country’s second parliamentary election in eight months with a less than moderate turnout after the opposition urged a boycott. Polling began slowly in the morning but increased slightly later to drop again at around noon. Turnout in some districts was under 20 per cent by 2pm, according to state-run Kuwait Television. Turnout was higher in some constituencies, especially in tribal areas, but no official figures were provided. The first results are not expected until after midnight (2100 GMT) as ballot papers are still counted manually. Information Minister Shaikh Salman Humoud Al Sabah said after visiting a polling station in Jahra west of Kuwait City that turnout was high. Besides opposition calls for a boycott, the sweltering heat of around 45 degrees Celsius  combined with Ramadan fasting, also apparently contributed to a low turnout. It was the second time the opposition had called for a boycott in protest at an electoral law that it says enables the ruling Al Sabah family-controlled government to manipulate the outcome. The law was ruled legal in June by the constitutional court, even though it dissolved parliament on procedural flaws and ordered Saturday’s election. “I just hope this parliament completes its (four-year) term,” said civil aviation employee Bassam Eid, after voting in Al Qasia. “We are frustrated at the repeated dissolution of the house,” Eid told AFP. The last two parliaments were dissolved by the constitutional court on procedural grounds, while previous parliaments were dissolved by the Emir. “I am really concerned at the turn of events in the country as there will be no development without political stability which we hope will be achieved after this election,” Dr Jawad Abulhassan told AFP. Pensioner Umm Mohammad said she hoped for an end to the disputes plaguing the country, but was not optimistic. “We earnestly hope to see political stability in the country after this poll… We are still afraid that this might not happen,” she said at a polling station reserved for women in Jabriya, south of Kuwait City. Some groups that boycotted the last election — notably the liberal National Democratic Alliance and some of the emirate’s powerful tribes — did take part on Saturday. But only a few opposition members were among the 300 hopeful candidates. They include eight women, the lowest number since women won political rights in 2005. Around 30 Arab election observers visited polling stations and were assisted by monitors from the Kuwait Transparency Society. The opposition failed to mirror the support it mobilised ahead of the last election, but has remained adamant that it will not take part in a “corrupted” political system. Just days before polling day, the authorities arrested at least four candidates and dozens of their campaign staff on suspicion of attempted vote-buying. Of Kuwait’s population of 3.9 million, just 31 per cent are citizens and of that 1.23 million only 440,000 are eligible to vote. The voting age is 21 and Kuwaitis in the police or army are barred from taking part. Taylor Scott International