Kuwait voters casting ballots in parliamentary election

PanARMENIAN.Net - Voters in Kuwait are casting ballots in a parliamentary election that leaders in the oil-rich Gulf nation hope will restore some stability after years of political confrontations, but an opposition boycott suggests more showdowns ahead, The Associated Press reports.

The voting was called after a court invalidated the 50-seat chamber elected in December. It found technical flaws in the balloting, but let stand a new system ordered by Kuwait’s ruler for one vote per person. It replaced the former method allowing voters to spread four votes between various candidates.

Critics say the old system encouraged vote buying and tribal blocs.

Opposition groups, led by Islamists, plan to boycott — as they did in December.

The vote takes place during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.