More than 567,000 voters will be eligible to choose among the 326 candidates contesting the vote Kuwait has a lively political life with a parliament elected for four-year terms KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait is holding parliamentary elections Saturday under the shadow of Covid-19, with facilities laid on for citizens infected with the disease to vote in special polling stations. The oil-rich country has enforced some of the strictest regulations in the Gulf to combat the spread of the coronavirus, imposing a months-long nationwide lockdown earlier this year. But while some curbs have eased, over-the-top election events that traditionally draw thousands for lavish banquets are out, masks remain mandatory and temperature checks are routine when venturing outdoors. Infected people or those under mandatory quarantine are usually confined to home, with electronic wristbands monitoring their movements. But in an effort to include all constituents, authorities have designated five schools — one in each electoral district — where they can vote, among the 102 polling stations across the country. Election officials are expected to be in full personal protective equipment. Kuwait has a lively political life with a parliament elected for four-year terms that enjoys wide legislative powers. Political disputes are often fought out in the open. Parties are neither banned nor recognized, but many groups — including Islamists — operate freely as de facto parties. But with more than 143,917 coronavirus cases to date, including 886 deaths, the election campaign has been toned down this year.