Government Giving People Stronger Voice; Opposition Calls for Boycotting

JMP has decided to boycott the governors' elections because their winning chances are slim, as they are poorly represented in local councils nationwide.

GPC has not so far named his candidates for the upcoming elections of governors.

On April 20, President Saleh called on the members of the local councils members in Yemen's different districts and provinces to elect the mayor and governors on May 17 instead of 27 April scheduled earlier for these elections.

In return, opposition parties represented by Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) called on their supports and branches in provinces to intensify their peaceful protests as they consider electing governors to be a comedy.

The voting local council members of provinces' councils are 7498, while there are 6902 in districts. There are also another 333 members who are appointed as heads of districts as well as 425 members representing the provinces' councils.

There will be 62 boxes for elections and the results are to be contested within only six days.

Still, JMP does enjoy overwhelming majority in Al-Dhale' especially after most local council members announced their intention to boycott the forthcoming elections.

Opposition parties demand conducting direct elections where governors are elected by the citizens, conditioning that the candidate should be from the province's citizens.

News sources reported on Saturday the American President George Bush welcomed this move and considered it a good step to reinforce the democratic tendency.

Meantime, security forces have been seen in public places, roads and cities entrances since last Saturday, aiming to prevent any protests as those that took place early in southern provinces particularly with JMP's calls.

Head of GPC Media Circle Tareq Al-Shami called JMP to stop organizing protests because they are violating the constitution and effective laws, hinting they have not received permits for their marches or demonstrations.

Al-Shami told the Yemen Post that they seek to divert the attention of people away from the democratic event acted in electing governors and stated that his party will continue its reform process and will not run after opposition parties or their demagogic acts. 

Special sources pointed out that there are heated internal disputes among the leaders of GPC in most provinces, especially when most of them aspire to obtain higher political leadership. Others seek to win the votes of local council members.

The same sources added that President Saleh and GPC leadership intend to present personalities who are favored by citizens particularly in southern provinces.