Voters in Kuwait have started to cast their ballots in the seventh legislative election in just over a decade, following repeated political crises that have undermined parliament and stalled reforms.
Polling began at 8am (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday and will continue till 8pm (17:00 GMT). Results will be announced on Wednesday, the official Kuwait News Agency said.
More than 793,000 eligible voters will have the chance to determine the makeup of the 50-seat legislature in the only Gulf Arab state to have an elected parliament with powers to hold the government to account.
A total of 207 candidates are running for a four-year term as lawmakers, the lowest number in a general election since 1996. They include opposition figures and 13 women.
Kuwait’s emir, Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, called the vote last month after he had again dissolved parliament amid a persistent political deadlock.
Constant stand-offs between the branches of government have prevented lawmakers from passing economic reforms, while repeated budget deficits and low foreign investment have added to an air of gloom.
