Early general elections were held in Kuwait on 17 May 2008 after the Emir Sabah Al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly of Kuwait on 19 March 2008 over constant clashes between the government and the elected MPs.[1] The last elections were held less than two years previously and saw a loose alliance of reformists and Islamists gain almost two thirds of the seats.[2]

Nearly 362,000 Kuwaitis were eligible to vote, more than half of them women, and 27 of the 275 candidates were women;[3] none of the female candidates won.[4]

New rules introduced for this election have changed the 25 constituencies electing two to five electing 10. This was a demand of the reformist Kuwaiti Orange Movement, which led mass demonstrations in 2006, who believed the change would impede vote buying electoral frauds.[5]

A leading theme in the election was inflation, which hit a record high 9.5% four months before the election. Many candidates in the election proposed increased governmental subsidies to be funded by oil profits.[6]

Results

PartyVotes%Seats
Sunni candidates21
Independents13
Popular Action Bloc9
Liberals7
Total50
Total votes214,886–
Registered voters/turnout361,68459.41
Source: IFES

Aftermath

Following the election, Jassem Al-Kharafi was elected speaker.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Jassem Al-KharafiIndependent5282.54
Abdullah Al-RoumiIndependent1117.46
Total63100.00
Valid votes6396.92
Invalid/blank votes23.08
Total votes65100.00
Registered voters/turnout65100.00

References

  1. ↑ "Kuwait dissolves parliament, sets May election". Reuters. 19 March 2008.
  2. ↑ "Kuwait emir calls fresh elections". BBC News. 19 March 2008.
  3. ↑ "Kuwaiti polls close as economy tops agenda". Reuters. 17 May 2008.
  4. ↑ "Poll snub for Kuwait women". Gulf Daily News. 19 May 2008.
  5. ↑ "Young Kuwaitis turn 'Orange'". Middle East Online. 29 May 2006. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Price debate dominates Kuwait election campaign". Reuters. 15 May 2008.
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