Kuwait — Kuwaiti opposition groups Sunday declared their election boycott a success after a drop in voter turnout, highlighting a growing divide with the royal family. The oil-rich nation held parliamentary elections Saturday that were largely boycotted by Islamist and liberal forces.

Kuwait's official news agency reported that the emir and crown prince were sending congratulatory messages to election winners. The new parliament is expected to be more cooperative with the government than its predecessor.

The election was the second this year in Kuwait where a series of assemblies have collapsed due to a long-running power struggle between the elected parliament and the cabinet, in which the ruling family holds top posts.

Turnout was 40.3 percent for the poll on Saturday, according to initial figures cited by the Information Ministry, the lowest since and including the first general election held in 1963. Participation in the past three elections was about 60 percent.