2012 Yemeni presidential election
Presidential elections were held in Yemen on 21 February 2012. Acting President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was the only candidate, and was subsequently sworn into office on 25 February 2012.
![]() | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Registered | 10,243,364 | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turnout | 64.78% | ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
|
![]() |
---|
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Yemen |
|
Executive |
Legislature
|
Judiciary |
|
|
Part of a series on the Yemeni Crisis (2011–present) |
---|
Main topics |
Background
During the Yemeni revolution, the Gulf Cooperation Council proposed an agreement whereby President Ali Abdullah Saleh would transfer his powers to Vice President Hadi. Saleh signed an agreement in Riyadh on 23 November 2011 under which he was to remain in office as a figurehead for up to three months, after which elections would be held.[1] On 26 November, Hadi announced 21 February 2012 as the date for the elections.[2]
Campaign
According to Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa, the main opposition Joint Meeting Parties coalition and the ruling General People's Congress jointly nominated Hadi as their consensus candidate.[3]
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 sought to forcefully prevent people from voting.[4]
Conduct
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 Southern Movement seeking to secede and restore an independent 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. On election day, at least one security service personnel was killed in the southern al-Mansoura district. Further violence was reported in the south. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was also accused of attacking election committees.
Results
According to Yemeni law, the final result was expected within ten days. Voter turnout was reported to be 65%.[5]
Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|
Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi | General People's Congress | 6,621,921 | 100 |
Invalid/blank votes | 13,271 | – | |
Total | 6,635,192 | 100 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 10,243,364 | 64.78 | |
Source: IFES |
Reactions
International
Aftermath
Hadi took oath of office in the House of Representatives on 25 February.[16] On the same day a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle outside a presidential palace in Mukalla, the capital of Hadhramaut Governorate, killing at least 26 members of the Republican Guard.[17] Saleh formally ceded power to Hadi and stepped down on 27 February 2012.[18]
References
- "Yemeni President Saleh signs deal on ceding power". BBC News. BBC. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- "Yemen's vice-president calls snap elections". Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- Yemen: Presidential Election Won’t Be Much of a Contest, Says PM GNDEM, 27 November 2011
- Houthis call for boycotting early Yemeni presidential elections Yemen Post, 11 February 2012
- "February 2012". Rulers.org. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- China welcomes presidential election in Yemen People's Daily Online, 23 February 2012
- President Hadi receives congratulations SABA News agency, 10 March 2012
- Presidential election in Yemen Government of France, 21 February 2012
- Medvedev Hails Progress in Yemen Transition to Stability RIA Novosti, 26 February 2012
- Moscow Lauds Presidential Elections in Yemen RIA Novosti, 22 February 2012
- Spain: Yemen's election is key step towards democratic transition SABA News Agency, 23 February 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 Times of India, 26 February 2012
- Yemen new president elected, what next? Nasser Arrabyee blog, 21 February 2012
- Kasinof, Laura (25 February 2012). "Yemen's New President Sworn Into Office". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- Al-Qaeda claims deadly attack on a Yemen presidential palace Al Arabiya, 29 February 2016
- Yemen’s Saleh formally steps down after 33 years at helm, hands over power to Hadi Al Arabiya, 27 February 2012