30 New Faces in Kuwait Parliament after Polls Hit by Boycott
Three women were elected to Kuwait's new parliament as the house now includes as many as 30 new faces following the polls that reportedly saw a 38.8 percent voter turnout.
Three women were elected to the new parliament compared to four in 2009, according to results released by the National Election Commission.
The new house includes as many as 30 new faces reflecting the total boycott by former MPs who are leading members of the opposition.
The information ministry website reported that turnout was 38.8 percent. No official figures have been released by the National Election Commission.
"Based on statistics compiled by the opposition, the voter turnout was 26.7 percent," said former MP Khaled al-Sultan at the end of an emergency meeting by the opposition after the ballots closed.
The polls were boycotted by the opposition which considered the new assembly "illegitimate."
The boycott was called to protest the government's unilateral amendment of the key electoral law ahead of the polls. The opposition says the action enabled the government to manipulate the outcome of polls.
The vote, the second in 10 months and the fifth since mid-2006, came nearly two months after the emir dissolved a pro-government parliament following its reinstatement in June by a court ruling.
As per Kuwaiti law, the cabinet must resign and a new government be formed before the new assembly holds its inaugural session within two weeks.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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