Kuwait votes as opposition ends boycott

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwaitis went to the polls Saturday for the first election contested by the opposition in nearly four years. Turnout was high at many of the 100 polling stations and at some centers hit 30 percent a few hours after voting opened, according to state-run Kuwait Television. Voters said they were encouraged by more candidates running this time around. “A wise opposition is needed because we don’t want more political disputes,” Jarrah Mohammad, a government employee, said after casting his ballot. The opposition is fielding 30 candidates among a total of 293 hopefuls who include 14 women. Women, who have had the right to vote in Kuwait since 2005, were already queueing outside polling stations when voting began at 8 am (0500 GMT). Kuwaiti citizens make up around 30 percent of the emirate’s population of 4.4 million. A total of 483,000 are eligible to vote. — AFP