Kuwaitis voted yesterday in a parliamentary election overshadowed by an opposition boycott and a festering political crisis in the US-allied oil producer.

The election is the second this year in a state wracked by a power struggle between elected MPs and the cabinet, appointed by the prime minister, who is in turn chosen by the ruling emir.

Tens of thousands of activists marched on Friday, urging people not to vote in protest against a change to electoral rules which they say will skew the outcome in favour of pro-government candidates.