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Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. | |
At least six people have been killed in incidents at southern polling stations despite a large army presence, after separatists called for a voter boycott. | |
But voting in the capital Sanaa was peaceful as people formed orderly queues from the early morning. | |
Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll. | Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll. |
Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province. | |
Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district, and there was violence reported in Aden, the main city in the south. | |
The separatist Southern Movement has called for a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote. | |
The poll comes after a year of violent anti-government protests in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country. | |
'End of Saleh era' | 'End of Saleh era' |
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president. | The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president. |
The main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa. | |
He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the separatists. | |
At a huge rally inside the Sanaa football stadium, I saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters chanting the name of Yemen's vice-President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. | At a huge rally inside the Sanaa football stadium, I saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters chanting the name of Yemen's vice-President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. |
For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election. | For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election. |
The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good. | The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good. |
Even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military. | Even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military. |
Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts. | Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts. |
And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition. | And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition. |
It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president. | It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president. |
Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, said as she voted that the election marked the end of President Saleh's 33-year long reign. | |
"Today we are building the new Yemen, we are building the democratic and happy Yemen that all of the youth and women have dreamed about," she said. | "Today we are building the new Yemen, we are building the democratic and happy Yemen that all of the youth and women have dreamed about," she said. |
But the country still faces multiple challenges - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants, widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought. | But the country still faces multiple challenges - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants, widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought. |
Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, acknowledged in a BBC interview that al-Qaeda posed a real threat. | Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, acknowledged in a BBC interview that al-Qaeda posed a real threat. |
"It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously," he said. | "It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously," he said. |
"We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised." | "We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised." |
The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours. | The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours. |
Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected. | Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected. |
On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power". | On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power". |
According to the election rules, there is no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid. | According to the election rules, there is no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid. |
If only one person turns out to vote for him, Mr Hadi will still win. | If only one person turns out to vote for him, Mr Hadi will still win. |
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote. Ten million registered for the last vote in 2006 in addition to 2.2 million new voters. | More than 12 million people are eligible to vote. Ten million registered for the last vote in 2006 in addition to 2.2 million new voters. |
The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled. | The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled. |
Are you in Yemen? What is your reaction to the election? Do you intend to vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in Yemen? What is your reaction to the election? Do you intend to vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |