Yemeni opposition considers boycotting elections

The main opposition party in Yemen said yesterday that it is examing the possibility of boycotting the first direct elections in the country in September after its leader did not qualify to enter the elections.

In press statements Yassin Ahmed Saleh, a member of the central committee at the Yemeni Socialist Party's secretary general said Ali Saleh Abad was blocked from joining the elections.

Saleh added that a large sector of citizens and the party are considering boycotting the elections, adding that a meeting of the party's political bureau will be held to discuss the call for an extraordinary meeting of the party's central committee to take the necessary measures.

He added that any boycott will be coordinated with the other four opposition parties. The five opposition parties have nominated Ali Saleh Abad Mokbel for elections, where Yemeni analysts say there are strong movements inside the other opposition groups preferring a boycott.