Election Results
It can be difficult to summarize Kuwaiti election results. Political groups and parliamentary voting blocs exist, however, actual political parties are illegal. While it is possible to determine how well the members of formal political groups fare in elections, most candidates do not belong to one of the formal political groups. Some of these candidates may receive support from one of the formal political groups and others adopt a clear ideological position as Islamists, liberals, or leftists. Some candidates associate themselves with the government. Yet in a number of cases it is difficult to determine, and to classify, the ideological positions of candidates and deputies.
In the 2003 elections the liberal/left Minbar al-Dimuqrati group lost the two seats it held in the 1999 parliament. The Salafis doubled their representation, to 6 seats. The Hadas lost several seats, winning only 2 in the 2003 elections. The Popular Bloc lost 4 of its 10 seats.
Once elected, many deputies form voting blocs in the National Assembly. Following the 2003 elections, according to Al-Dustoor (a Kuwaiti newspaper published by the National Assembly, July 20, 2003) 16 deputies joined the Islamist bloc; 6 joined the Popular Bloc (a populist group that includes both bedouin and Shi'i deputies); 4 joined the liberal bloc.
Read more about this topic: Elections In Kuwait
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