Women vote in Kuwait parliamentary elections for first time

[Sam Odom]

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Some female voters came in buses and others stepped out of chauffeur-driven cars at polling stations Thursday, as women in Kuwait voted in parliamentary elections for the first time.

Women, who won the right to vote and run for office last year, comprise 57% of the electorate, and many were delighted to cast ballots for the first time.

"It feels like a wedding day," said Salwa al-Sanoussi, 45, who was one of the first to arrive at the segregated women's polling station in Dahyia, one of Kuwait's wealthiest areas. She wore black and covered her hair with a matching headcover.

In Washington, the State Department said the participation of women in the elections was "a huge step forward" for Kuwait and the region. Saudi Arabia is now the only Arab country that holds elections but doesn't allow women to vote.

Khalida al-Kheder, one of 27 women running for the 50 seats in parliament, was shocked by the behavior of conservative tribal women who arrived in large groups at the Sulaibikhat constituency and cheered loudly for male candidates.

"They brought them in buses," said al-Kheder, a physician. "This is not the image we wanted for democracy in Kuwait."

[Solon]

1. Some progress, but still the Monarch can, at will, dissolve the Parliment.

Not a democracy, just the window dressing of it, because Monarchs HAVE practiced this particular power, rather often as well.

[Sam Odom]

2. The longer it lasts

"It" being, the woman vote, the harder it will be to stop it. Just a minor step tho.

[Solon]

3. I know, but that doesn't mean much without having a meaningful...

Democracy, if they MUST keep the Monarchy, then at least get rid of the ABSOLUTE power that such a Monarchy holds, similar to the Emporer of Japan, or the Queen of the United Kingdom. Or, more recently, the King of Nepal is going to get rid of his absolute power, he has no choice, his people had Democracy, and he practically destroyed it, pissing the majority off. A similar thing MAY happen in Kuwait IF the King oversteps his bounds, small steps, sometimes too small.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. Yeah, but who counts the votes?

Cast as many ballots as you want, it's still the people who tally the votes that'll hold the power.

[Eugene]

5. Reuters: No women elected to Kuwait's new parliament

No women elected to Kuwait's new parliament
Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:06am ET

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Women, participating as voters and candidates
for the first time in Kuwaiti parliamentary elections, failed
to win any seats, results carried by state media showed on Friday.

The opposition, including Islamists, returned in strength in the
election on Thursday, the results showed.

Analysts said a strong showing by the opposition -- a loose coalition
of pro-reform ex-MPs, Islamists and liberals -- raises the possibility
of more tension between the new assembly and the government.

<snip>

Experts had expected voting by the powerful conservative Islamists and
tribes would hurt chances of women candidates.

<snip>

Full article: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-06-30T070556Z_01_L30110_RTRUKOC_0_US-KUWAIT-ELECTION.xml