Polling stations open in Kuwait amid opposition boycott

Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition groups gather to protest and support a boycott on the country's election Kuwaitis began voting to elect their second parliament in 10 months on Saturday, amid fears that a boycott by opposition leaders could affect the election turnout and outcome. Around 100 polling station opened across the country, with separate centres for men and women in line with the law.
The opposition has refused to register any candidates in protest against the government's amendment of the electoral law. As a result, the newly elected 50 seat parliament is expected to be totally pro-government.
There are also fears about voter turnout, with the opposition encouraging boycott of the election. At the polling centre in Salwa, 15 km (10 miles) south of the capital Kuwait City, only a few voters showed up among more than 4,600 eligible voters registered at the centre.
Mahmud Abedin, a 47-year old public sector worker told AFP: "I am voting because I care for my country. I am against the boycott calls. Everything is made available to us by the government and the emir; good housing services, good salaries and many almost free public services, so why should we boycott."
On Friday, tens of thousands of opposition supporters staged a massive demonstration to urge voters to shun the ballot.
The opposition has staged several protests and gatherings against the government for unilaterally amending the electoral law, saying the move amounted to a coup against the constitution.
Polling stations close at 1700 hrs (GMT) and the first results are expected after midnight, around 2100 hrs GMT.