Why did Kuwait’s opposition boycott the December 2012 elections?

The opposition boycotted the December 2012 elections in Kuwait as a protest against unilateral changes to the country's electoral rules.12

Following the dissolution of an opposition-dominated parliament by the Constitutional Court in June 2012, the emir ordered modifications to the electoral system in October. These changes were widely perceived as a strategic effort to ensure a pro-government majority in the legislature. The move sparked significant public unrest, leading to protests that were met with tear gas and stun grenades, ultimately resulting in the opposition's decision to boycott the December vote, which saw the lowest voter turnout in decades.12