Kuwaitis vote for Islamists, tribesmen; not women

By Ulf Laessing and Rania El Gamal

KUWAIT, May 18 (Reuters) - No women made it to Kuwait's legislature as voters in the Gulf Arab state ushered back in many Islamist and tribal politicians from the previous house, which could mean further stagnation in economic reform.

Twenty-seven women were among the 275 hopefuls in the race for the 50 seats that became vacant when the ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved parliament in March, ending a standoff with the cabinet that had delayed economic reforms.

The bourse edged down after the results. The exchange, the second-largest in the Arab world, had risen after parliament was dissolved on hopes the new chamber would be more business-friendly but has since shed some of its gains.

The last assembly focused on questioning ministers over their conduct, forcing several to resign. The OPEC producer has yet to appoint an oil minister since the last one quit in November.

Women failed to secure any seats in the 2006 polls. The U.S.-allied country gave women the right to vote and stand for office in 2005, but many nationals of both sexes believe a woman's place is in the home.

TRIBAL AREAS

Twenty-eight members of the previous parliament were re-elected, according to results carried by the official media. Many of the new faces hail from tribal areas.