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Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh
(40 minutes later)
Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
At least eight soldiers have been killed at southern polling stations, in violence many had expected after separatists called for a voter boycott. At least eight soldiers were killed at southern polling stations, in violence many had expected after separatists called for a voter boycott.
Half of Aden's polling stations have now closed but the capital, Sanaa, was calm as people formed orderly queues. Half of Aden's polling stations closed early as a result but voting in the capital Sanaa was calm and orderly.
Voters are due to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll. British election observer Baroness Nicholson was in a polling station in Aden when an attack happened nearby.
She told the BBC World Service programme Newshour that she and two female Yemeni ministers were monitoring voting when "a great sequence of explosions" took place near to the building.
She said no-one at the polling station was injured and she did not think she had been the target of the attack.
She added that she had spoken to people before the vote "who said we know it's going to be horrible but we're jolly well going to go out and vote. So I've been encouraged by that."
Elsewhere in Aden, the main city in the south, two soldiers were killed and a number of people injured.
Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province.Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province.
Two soldiers were killed and a number of people injured in Aden, the main city in the south. Half the polling stations there have now closed following attacks.
A visiting former British MP, Baroness Nicholson, was in a polling station in Aden when an attack happened nearby.
She told the BBC's Newshour programme that she and two female Yemeni ministers were monitoring voting when "a great sequence of explosions" took place. She said no-one at the polling station was injured and she did not think she had been the target of the attack.
Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district.Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district.
The separatist Southern Movement announced a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote. The separatist Southern Movement announced a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote. Shia rebels in the north also called for a boycott.
Shia rebels in the north have also called for a boycott of the poll. Voters are due to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.
The election comes after a year violent anti-government protests erupted in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country. The election comes a year after violent anti-government protests erupted in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.
'End of Saleh era''End of Saleh era'
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. And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition.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.
It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president.It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says this sort of violence had been expected.The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says this sort of violence had been expected.
"It's happened in previous elections, because the Southern Movement wants autonomy, or to re-establish an independent southern republic. It's believed they or people affiliated to them are responsible.""It's happened in previous elections, because the Southern Movement wants autonomy, or to re-establish an independent southern republic. It's believed they or people affiliated to them are responsible."
Our correspondent says Sanaa is much more peaceful, with many people voting amid tight security. In one district he visited officials said by midday 45% of eligible voters had cast their ballot.Our correspondent says Sanaa is much more peaceful, with many people voting amid tight security. In one district he visited officials said by midday 45% of eligible voters had cast their ballot.
The main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa.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.He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the separatists.
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 Mr Saleh's 33-year reign.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 Mr Saleh's 33-year 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 signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected.Mr Saleh 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".
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote, including 2.2 million newly registered voters.More than 12 million people are eligible to vote, including 2.2 million newly registered voters.
The new president is due to stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled.The new president is due to 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.