VOTERS in Kuwait lined up yesterday to vote in landmark parliamentary elections that could substantially change the legislative body of the tiny, oil-rich Gulf emirate following electoral reforms to reduce corruption and vote buying.
Part of that big change in Kuwait's politics is the role of women, who since 2005 have been able to run for office. While none were elected in the 2006 contests, hopes are high this time around for the 27 women vying for office together with 248 men.
"We need to try women, we have to give them a chance," said Sawsan al-Mahmeed, a 45-year-old civil servant as she left a women-only polling station. Behind her long lines of women could be seen waiting to vote.
The elections come after Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, dissolved parliament in March in the wake of increasingly acrimonious relationship between the Cabinet, appointed by the ruler, and the 50-man legislative body.
The hope is that the new parliament will be more representative and be able to better work with the government's ministers.
Mahmeed, who does not wear the Islamic headscarf common to most women in this conservative country, said she was tired of the "cycle of crises between the two powers" and was voting for a change.
Women candidates, however, still face an uphill battle in gaining the trust of most voters in this nation where parliamentarians are usually elected along tribal and family lines.
Jamal Rashed, 48, said he wanted to vote for a woman but he didn't think any of them were qualified. "Charisma also affects one's decision and the women still lack it," the merchant said as he left a men's polling station.
For the past two years, lawmakers and government ministers have been unable to work together, prompting Kuwait's emir to dissolve the body twice since 2006.
What may make this new parliament different, however, is the reduction of electoral districts from 25 to just five to defeat attempts at vote buying.
One of the key political issues has been what to do with the soaring revenue the government is enjoying from record oil prices.
Many candidates are pushing the government to use the influx of cash to pay off the consumer debt of Kuwaiti citizens. But the Cabinet had pushed to use the money for development projects and to privatise the economy, an unpopular agenda in a country where the one million citizens have been spoiled by a cradle-to-grave welfare system.
Kuwait first elected a parliament in 1963.
The full article contains 435 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
