Divided on how to deal with it Opposition fuming over election ‘violations’ [Archives:2002/45/Local News]

Yemen’s opposition parties met Oct. 27 for a press conference to discuss what they call election registration violations of the government.
The statement issued by the MPs focused on violations committed by the ruling party and SEC and some government officials in the central and local authorities. They say the violations show Yemen’s ruling GPC party wants to win the 2003 election by all means.
They say there has been distortion of new registration records in electoral constituencies, forcing security forces to register voters outside their constituencies.
They also say security has attacked opposition representatives in many constituencies, and that the GPC has used public money, public officials and media for their own gain.
Yemen’s President Saleh has been requested to use his powers to deal with the violations.
The opposition statement also warns of legal and political action they may take in response to broken rules.


At the same time, the opposition said it believes the parties can deal with their differences, if both sides are committed to the country.
Abdulwahab Al Anesi, Islah representative, confirmed that the his party has had no private talks with the ruling party. He called all parties to work together using all means to guarantee correct data is used in the electoral register. Al Anesi suggested an election boycott.
Abdulghani Abdulqader, the Chairman of the Political Division of the Yemeni Socialist Party, stressed the importance of dialogue.
“There is no boycotting whenever there is a chance to negotiate,” said Abdulqader. He said that his party came to fruitful results with the ruling party in the previous talks. He also rejects any misuse of democracy.
Abdulmalik Al Mekhlafi, secretary general of the Nasseri Party, said the ruling party avoids dialogue for the time being. He complained the ruling party is practicing all kinds of pressure over opposition parties through the media and other means.
Al Mekhlafi also noted the importance of exchanging information and suggests a meeting between any of the JMPs and the GPC to a void any misunderstandings and accusations. He said the ruling party is pushing some opposition parties into boycotting.
Abdulkareem Al Khaiwani, of Al Haq party and editor-in-chief of Al Uma newspaper, said it is important for the JMPs to have a specific criteria. He stated that JMPs should know the how to overcome bargaining in the political arena.
Regarding violations, he said it is not enough to denounce it, rather the opposition needs to take a serious position toward it. He suspects the opposition parties position against the ruling party is a “decoration or a mask”.
Mohammed Al Mekhlafi, a lawyer, said that there are two kinds of violations. The first occurred during the registration phase and can be noted to registration committees or turned to the judiciary.
“The other kind is more serious and we first have to recognize those who violated the law and constitution. We are confronting serious political strategies dedicated to violating law and order,” said Al Mehklafi.


——
[archive-e:45-v:2002-y:2002-d:2002-11-04-p:./2002/iss45/ln.htm]