One Lebanese, Shows Up, Casts Vote in Expat Elections in Kuwait

Only one voter arrived at the Lebanese embassy in Kuwait to vote in the parliamentary elections, despite the extension of the legislature's tenure until 2017.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil was determined to hold the elections in Kuwait and Australia as the parliament extension law wouldn't come in force until Tuesday.

The expats elections in Kuwait, in Melbourne and Sydney in Australia were set to take place consecutively on November 7 and 9.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Saturday, the sole voter is registered in the southern area of Marjayoun-Hasbaya electoral district and voted for AMAL movement official and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

In September, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that the expat vote will be held for the first time in a Lebanese election.

Parliament extended its term on Wednesday despite the boycott of several lawmakers. But nine out of 24 ministers refused on Thursday to sign the draft-law.

The lawmakers, who voted in favor of the draft-law, claim they need to extend their own term in office because the security situation is too dire to allow holding elections amid Syria's civil war.

They also say extending parliament's mandate will prevent another power vacuum from forming in a country already divided along sectarian and regional lines.

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