KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait's government has asked the country's Constitutional Court to determine whether its election law is legal. Opposition lawmakers fear it's a bid to undermine their strength.

Kuwait's parliament was suspended in June after a court declared February elections won by Islamist and other opponents unconstitutional. The previous, pro-government parliament was reinstated but failed to convene after lawmaker boycotts.

Opposition parties threaten to boycott the next election if the system is changed back. They say increasing the number of constituencies would reduce their chances to win.

Information Minister Mohammad al-Abdullah said Wednesday authorities want the court to rule on the 2006 law, which reduced the number of constituencies from 25 to five.

Al-Abdullah called the request a precaution to avert a court challenge to the next election, expected later this year.