Upcoming elections won’t be customary, JMP warns [Archives:2007/1106/Front Page]

Almigdad Dahesh Mojalli
SANA'A, Nov.25 ) The Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) warned the ruling General People's Conference (GPC) against making any unilateral decision regarding the constitution of the Supreme Committee for Elections and Referendum. The JMP called on the GPC to cease its pride, asking it to reconsider its policies that push the country to more crises and political congestion.

In its Supreme Council meeting on Nov. 22, a JMP parliamentary and legal team announced its rejection of any decision made solely by the GPC, either by parliamentary majority or other means. The JMP affirmed that it sticks to the recommendations of the European Union (EU) Elections Observation Mission regarding upcoming elections.

Mohammed Al-Sabri, JMP spokesman, clarified that contents of the agreement document regarding the constitution of committee judges was merely a disputed suggestion in the working schedule after the presidential elections which hasn't been endorsed yet.

According to Al-Sabri, the GPC has no right to appoint judges to the committee. “The ruling party wants to appoint committee judges, but we abide by Constitution laws. In case the GPC carries out their plan, it will bear the responsibility of its decision because elections won't be customary as a result.” Al-Sabri said.

In addition, Al-Sabri stated that the GPC violated a signed agreement detailing recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission, Aden report and other agreements through which the GPC and JMP conducted their dialogues.

Al-Sabri added that the GPC hasn't presented any detailed procedure regarding the appointment of committee judges.

Parliament member (MP) Sultan Al-Attwani acquainted the council with discussion points between the ruling party and JMP and the myriad of choices available for both concerning the constitution of committee judges. Al-Attwani mentioned that the choices proposed by the GPC were rejected because they uphold what he considers a corrupt system which doesn't reflect political balance in the country. He further believes that the GPC's insistence on its decisions fails to serve the democratic process, development and stability of the country and will push the country to more tension and congestion.

JMP leaders affirmed the necessity of consistency among political forces in terms of the constitution of the Supreme Committee for Elections and Referendum in order to keep the country's political stability.
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