Saleh submits nomination documents to Parliament [Archives:2006/961/Front Page]
Ismail Al-Ghabiri
SANA'A, July 5 ) President Ali Abdullah Saleh presented his nomination documents for another presidential term to Parliament Tuesday, stressing obedience to the Yemeni Constitution, General Election Law and other bylaws in effect.
“In response to the public's will and insistence, I rescinded my decision because there are several duties before the country, such as maintaining the revolution's achievements, freedom, democracy and unity and protecting them from secessionists, extremists and terrorists,” Saleh stated to the media after submitting his nomination documents to Parliament.
Musleh Ali Al-Samad, Mohamed Abdullah Al-Fardi, Abdullah Abbas Sa'ad and Mohamed Abdurrahman Al-Ulify also submitted their presidential nomination documents to Parliament.
At its Monday meeting, Parliament's presidency board announced receiving presidential candidacy applications as of last Tuesday. It also listed several requirements including legal procedures, the deadline for receiving applications and mechanisms for examining documents, plus duties set before those making bids for the presidency.
Parliament's presidency board called on those with a desire to apply for president to submit their nomination documents within seven days following the announcement and during official working hours. It conditioned that applicants must enclose all documents addressing the following constitutionally-stipulated requirements.
Under Yemen's constitution, a presidential candidate must: be at least age 40, from two Yemeni parents, not married to a foreigner, enjoy his/her political and civil rights, have good morals and abide by Islamic teachings, possess a record free of immoral crimes except if he/she was acquitted and compensated and be a registered voter.
By law, Parliament's presidency board will provide the names of presidential applicants to the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum (SCER) within 48 hours following joint Parliament and Shoura Council recommendations.
As a side note, Parliament approved amending paragraph A of Article 19 in 2001's General Elections and Referendum Law No. 13 regarding adding two members via presidential appointment to the nine-member commission formed by republican degree. The nine must be appointed from among 15 who meet the legal requirements and are nominated by Parliament.
The Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) Higher Council released a statement accusing the SCER of violating an agreement the JMP reached with the ruling General People's Congress (GPC). The council indicated that the SCER continues preparing for upcoming local and presidential elections before adding the other two members and making preparations accordingly.
In a statement, the Yemen Liberation Party (YLP) said sensible Yemenis were skeptical that President Saleh wouldn't stand in the 2006 presidential elections, as he earlier declared. The statement reads: “this resolution is real and serious and anyone aware of the nature of the regime in Yemen understands well that Saleh mobilized his followers at the proper time to pressure him to revoke his decision.”
The YLP statement recounted the dire situations Yemenis suffer, particularly economic conditions and public funds plundering, as well spreading corruption. Further, it said official media prides itself on freedom of opinion and expression, while it's not embodied in real life. The statement indicated that the YLP calls on citizens to help it establish an Islamic caliphate.
Inequality alleged
In a press statement, Rasheeda Al-Qili, who showed an earlier intention to apply for president, questioned whether there are first-class and third-class nominees. She also inquired as to why security officials allowed President Saleh to enter from the main gate to submit his application, while other candidates were forced to enter from the rear. She further added that she clings to her right to enter from the main gate or remain there until her demand is met.
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