Nadia Al-Sharrah, Economist/political campaigner, Kuwait:

I am very happy, the people of Kuwait have sent a strong and serious message to the government that their efforts in handling the previous crisis were wrong.

The reform movement is stronger than it was before. The grouping which wants to restrict the number of constituencies to five and stop corruption has the support of the street.

We didn't elect a woman to parliament.

I think some of the women candidates were placed by the government to run against male reformist candidates in the same district.

Most women voted according to what was best for Kuwait. They didn't vote for the women just because they were women.

I think when we reduce the number of constituencies to five, there will be a good chance for a strong woman candidate to succeed next time.


Youssra, election worker, Kuwait:

I wasn't surprised that women didn't get a seat in parliament. Some of the female candidates got only two or three votes.

It is understandable because this is the first time Kuwaiti women have run for office. Maybe Kuwaitis are not yet used to the idea of women participating in public life. But this result does not invalidate women's rights.

What is really disappointing is that some candidates tried to buy votes. One candidate was seen carrying envelopes full of cash to use for buying support. I want to tell these candidates: Kuwaitis are not for sale.

Luckily, these candidates didn't win.

We want a decent parliament that can protect us and our children. We don't want to see candidates campaigning for a seat solely for selfish and personal gain.

Women's turnout was high despite the extremely hot weather and long queues.

Unfortunately, some women voters could not wait long enough, so they had to return home before voting.

The polls were due to close at 8pm, but we had to stay on to let everyone in the queue cast their ballot.

I was part of the vote-counting team. We were only allowed to leave once we had finished the job.