Kuwaitis elect new parliament

New electoral rules to reduce corruption and vote-buying and greater political opportunities for women could result in a markedly different legislature for this tiny, oil-rich Gulf nation and U.S. ally.

Voters said that recent political squabbling has diverted too much attention away from using booming oil revenues for economic development.

Results were expected Sunday.

A big change in Kuwait's politics revolves around the role of women, who only got the right to run for office in 2005. While none were elected in the last contest, in 2006, many have high hopes this time for the 27 women vying for office together with 248 men. Women account for 55 percent of voters.

"I'm very optimistic," said Aseel al-Awadi, the only female candidate who has the support of a political group, the westernized liberal National Democratic Alliance. "In 2006, there was no confidence in women. But with time, they started getting into the game."

Women candidates, however, still face an uphill battle in gaining the trust of most voters in this nation where parliamentarians are usually elected along tribal and family lines.

There is a widespread hope that the new parliament will be more representative and better able to cooperate with the government. For the past two years, lawmakers and the government have been unable to work together, prompting Kuwait's emir to dissolve the body twice since 2006.

The election comes after the country's emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, dissolved parliament in March. He made the move in the wake of an increasingly acrimonious relationship between the Cabinet, appointed by the royal family, and the 50-seat legislative body.

Although candidates have heaped criticism on what they called the "weak" Cabinet, most Kuwaitis blame lawmakers more for the political gridlock.