Yemeni presidential election, 2012
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Yemen |
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Legislature
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| Judiciary |
| Foreign relations |
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| Part of a series on the Yemeni Crisis (2011–present) |
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Background |
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A presidential election was held in Yemen on 21 February 2012. Acting President Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi was the only candidate in the election. He was sworn in as president of Yemen on 25 February 2012 in the Presidential Palace.
Background
During the 2011–2012 Yemeni uprising, the Gulf Cooperation Council proposed an agreement whereby President Ali Abdullah Saleh would transfer his powers to Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Saleh was to remain in office as a figurehead for up to three months, after which a vote would be held, after Saleh signed the agreement in Riyadh on 23 November 2011.[1] On 26 November, Hadi announced the 21 February date for the vote.[2]
Candidate
According to the Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa, the main opposition coalition Joint Meeting Parties and the ruling General People's Congress jointly nominated Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi as their consensus candidate.[3]
Violence
Despite the ongoing uprising and reactions that continued to cause violence, other poll related violence included at least two attacks near polling stations prior to the vote. One of the attacks occurred the day before the election in Aden, a stronghold of the South Yemen Movement seeking to secede and restore South Yemen, that result in the death of one soldier. The Yemeni government warned that there was "certain" to be violent attempts to disrupt the vote.
Boycott
The Houthis in northern Yemen called for a boycott of the vote, but said they would not stop those who wished to vote from doing so. In the same vein, the southern secessionists also called for a boycott. Yemeni police said they had arrested "hardliners" from the movement who they alleged sought to forcefully prevent people from voting.[4]
Results
On election day, at least one security service personnel was killed in the southern al Mansourah district. Further violence was reported in the south. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was also accused of attacking election committees.[5]
According to Yemeni law, the final result was expected within ten days. With a reported 65% turnout, Hadi won 99.8 percent of the vote.[6]
| Candidates – Nominating parties | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi – General People's Congress | 6,621,921 | 99.80 |
| Total votes (turnout 64.78%) | 6,635,192 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters | 10,243,364 | |
| Source: Le Figaro | ||
Hadi had taken the oath of office in Yemen's parliament on 25 February 2012.[7] On the same day a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle outside a presidential palace in Mukalla, the capital of Hadhramaut Governorate, killing at least 25 members of the Republican Guard.[5]
Saleh formally ceded power to his deputy Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi in the Presidential Palace and steps down on 27 February 2012.[8]
Reactions
States
People's Republic of China - At a regular press briefing Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said "We hope relevant parties make joint efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly political transitional process, to restore normal social order at an early date and realize national stability and development".[9]
Cuba - President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro sent the elected president congratulations cable.[10]
France - Foreign Ministry satement said France welcomes the holding of the presidential election, it commends the Yemeni people for their mobilization and the conduct of this ballot, which for the most part was peaceful it and addresses its congratulations to, and expresses its support for and trust in Mr. Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi, however it recognizes that serious acts of intimidation resulting in the loss of life were committed in certain southern governorates, notably in the city of Aden, in an attempt to jeopardize the success of this election. France strongly condemns these acts.[11]
Russia - President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev sent a congratulatory telegram to Yemen's new President, saying "We note with satisfaction that the Republic of Yemen is moving along the path of restoring stability and security and implementing a wide range of social and economic and democratic transformations based on a broad national dialog and in line with the aspirations of all of the country's citizens".[12] Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said "We hail the efforts of the Yemeni authorities who provided voting in the earlier stated date, as well as the active participation of the people (in the election process)".[13]
Spain - Spain has welcomed the presidential election, considering it a major step towards the democratic transition and the start of a new phase in Yemen's history. The Spanish Foreign Ministry renewed in a statement its full support for democratic transition process in Yemen and confirmed its intention to continue to work with the Yemeni government and the various spectra of Yemeni society to face the future challenges in various fields.[14]
Turkey - Foreign Ministry statement welcomed the elections as a significant step and hoped the results of the elections would be beneficial for the Yemeni people. The statement added that "Turkey now expects a national dialogue conference to take place with participation of all seagments in Yemen".[15]
United Kingdom - Foreign Minister William Hague welcomed the successful Yemeni election saying "Yemeni people made clear there is no place for violence in Yemen's democratic future".[16]
United States - President Barack Obama told Yemen's new president that the United States would be a steadfast partner and urged him to follow through on promises for a broad national dialogue, political reforms and elections by 2014.[17]
International organizations
United Nations - UN envoy Jamal Bin Omar, while visiting some of the polling stations in Sanaa said "The February 21st, is a historic day, and it protected Yemen from a civil war".[18]
References
- ↑ "Yemeni President Saleh signs deal on ceding power". BBC News. BBC. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ↑ "Yemen's vice-president calls snap elections". Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera. 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20130615204341/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/27/2520893/yemens-presidential-election-wont.html. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2011. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Houthis call for boycotting early Yemeni presidential elections", Yemen Post, February 11, 2012
- 1 2 Al Jazeera English.
- ↑ "February 2012". Rulers.org. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ↑ Kasinof, Laura (2012-02-25). "Yemen's New President Sworn Into Office". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ↑ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iqhKKOqo6XDujeTI_yaD4B0CcyVA?docId=CNG.12cc0199ecc6457c2d2a25874218f73d.691
- ↑ "China welcomes presidential election in Yemen", People's Daily Online, February 23, 2012. Accessed in March 5, 2012.
- ↑ President Hadi receives congratulations", SABA News agency, March 10, 2012
- ↑ "Presidential election in Yemen", February 21, 2012. Accessed on March 5, 2012
- ↑ Medvedev Hails Progress in Yemen Transition to Stability, RIA Novosti, February 26, 2012. Accessed on March 5, 2012
- ↑ Moscow Lauds Presidential Elections in Yemen, RIA Novosti, February 22, 2012. Accessed on March 5, 2012
- ↑ "Spain: Yemen's election is key step towards democratic transition", SABA News Agency, February 23, 2012
- ↑ "Turkey hopes election results will be beneficial to Yemen", Andolu Agency Archived October 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Foreign Secretary welcomes successful Yemeni election", UK in Germany website, February 22 2012.
- ↑ "Obama welcomes new Yemen leader, pushes for reform, election". February 26, 2012.
- ↑ "Yemen new president elected, what next?", Nasser Arrabyee blog, February 21, 2012
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