Results from Kuwait's parliamentary elections show Muslim hardliners have made strong gains, but women failed to win any seats. Sunday's results from Saturday's elections show religious conservatives will hold about half of parliament's 50 seats.The elections were scheduled after Kuwait's ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Sabah dissolved the parliament in March to resolve a growing conflict between the legislative body and the Cabinet. Voters had hoped the new parliament could end the political wrangling, but the re-election of some controversial members of the previous parliament could undermine that wish.
Twenty-seven women were among the 275 candidates running for parliament. None of them won enough votes to take office, missing an opportunity to become Kuwait's first female elected officials since women gained the right to vote and participate in politics three years ago.
Many candidates had pledged to end the conflict between Kuwait's executive and legislative branches, and revive the economy to wean the country off its dependence on oil.