Kuwait elections: Only female MP Safa al-Hashem loses seat

Women‌‌ 05:13 PM - 2020-12-07

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Kuwait's only female MP, Safa al-Hashem, has lost her seat in polls which saw the opposition make gains in the oil-rich Gulf state.

 

There were 29 female candidates, but none secured a seat. This was a blow to female candidates after women won the right to vote 15 years ago.

 

The first female MPs were elected in 2009.

 

The final count showed 31 new lawmakers had been elected to the 50-seat assembly.

 

Kuwait profile

 

Safa al-Hashem was elected in two consecutive parliaments, in 2012 and 2016.

 

She is the first and only woman to have dissolved parliament when she won a court case in 2012 that annulled the National Assembly elected in February 2012 and reinstated the previous parliament elected in 2009.

 

Prior to entering politics, she was a successful businesswoman and founded a consulting company.

 

Twenty-four of the National Assembly's 50 seats were won by candidates belonging to or leaning towards the opposition, up from 16 in the last parliament, according to results announced on Sunday.

 

 

PUKmedia / BBC