Kuwait PM: content with medical preparations, turnout

Kuwaitis hoping for reform went to the polls on Saturday in a parliamentary election overshadowed by Covid-19, with facilities laid on for citizens infected with the disease to vote in special polling stations.

These elections are “different than the previous 60 years because of the health crisis and the measures that needed to be adopted,” His Highness the Prime Minister told reporters while visiting Khabab Ibn Al-Arat school in Jabriya, which was made a polling station.

“I am happy with the reports I have been receiving about the participation in this constitutional procedure to elect representatives of the Kuwaiti people …” he said.

He hoped elections would end with high turnout and voters abide by health conditions.

Infected people or those under mandatory quarantine are usually confined to home, with electronic wristbands monitoring their movements.

But in an effort to respect their right to vote, authorities designated five polling stations -- one in each electoral district -- for them to cast their ballots, among the 102 across the country.

“We see a big turnout and we hope to see compliance with the health requirements during elections, and to refrain from celebrations following the announcement of results,” said His Highness the Prime Minister.

His Highness the Prime Minister was accompanied by Ministry of Interior’s Undersecretary General Essam