Candidates running for Kuwait's parliamentary elections have spent a total of around 450 million dollars campaigning, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported on Thursday, January 26 citing poll monitors.

The money has been spent on canvassing and rallies, advertisements in media outlets and lavish banquets for potential voters in the oil-rich Gulf country.

Around 276 parliamentary hopefuls, including 22 women, are contesting elections set for February 2, according to figures from the Higher Election Commission.

The Interior Ministry said on Wednesday it was investigating allegations of vote buying by some contenders, according to DPA.

The new 50-seat parliament will be the conservative emirate's fourth in six years. In December, Kuwait ruler Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved parliament following an opposition outcry over an alleged bribery scam.