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Fundamentalists make gains in Kuwaiti elections

Poll results * Fundamentalists, who are seeking the implementation of Islamic law, added one seat, for a total of 21 seats in the 50-seat parliament. * Pro-Cabinet members gained two seats, bringing their total to 14. * Liberals and their supporters won three seats, down from 14. * Independents took 12 seats, up from the four they held in the last house. Source: AP

Islamists and supporters of the royal-led Cabinet kept their grip on Kuwait's parliament in weekend elections while Westernized liberals suffered major losses, according to results released yesterday.

Fundamentalist Muslims who call for the full implementation of Islamic law added one seat for a total of 21. Pro-Cabinet members jumped two to 14 of the house's 50 seats.

Liberals and their supporters -- urging voting rights for women -- won just three seats, down from 14 in the outgoing parliament. The remaining 12 went to independents, an increase from four in the last house.

Under Kuwait's system, the emir has the final say, with the ability to dissolve the legislature. Still, the parliament does have significant influence: It must approve all legislation and has in the past blocked the royal ruler's attempts to give women the vote.

There are no political parties in Kuwait, with many fearing this would bring political strife. Candidates run as representative of three fundamentalist and two liberal "movements," or as independents.

In the first government comment on the vote, Kuwait Television quoted the deputy prime minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, as saying the Kuwaiti people had "proven political awareness and responsibility" in the elections.

He said he was "absolutely optimistic" that parliament would have "more achievements to offer."

In campaign rallies, liberal candidates called for political reform and complained about a system in which only men over 21 can cast ballots.

Most liberal supporters traditionally come from Kuwait City and its suburbs. Outer tribal areas usually elect pro-government or Islamist lawmakers.

Many liberals had hoped that success in Saturday's election would lead the legislature to agree to female suffrage in this small oil-rich state. That seemed less likely after their poor showing, unless the Cabinet puts its weight behind the issue and pressures parliament.

Other candidates had also accused the outgoing house of failing to deal with major economic issues such as privatization of an economy that depends on oil revenues and government spending.

However, drastic change did not come in an election marked by accusations of vote-buying, and charges that many voters cast ballots according to allegiances to tribes and religious sects.

But the big losers were the liberals, with long-serving leaders Ahmed al-Rubei and Abdullah al-Naibari among those who lost races. As for the independents, these many new faces often have undeclared political affiliations, with some elected based more on local loyalties than ideology.
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