UntitledPolitical Overview
In 1990, the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) joined to create the present-day Republic of Yemen, at the same time ushering in a process of democratic reform unprecedented in the Middle East. The new state made a number of significant reforms in the early years after unification: legalizing opposition political parties; establishing an independent electoral commission; extending full political rights to women; and loosening restrictions on the press. Multi-party parliamentary elections in 1993 marked the culmination of the process of formal integration. These elections saw the General People's Congress (GPC), the former ruling party of the North, win a majority in parliament. The Yemeni Congregation for Reform (al-Islah) and the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), the former ruling party of the south, also won a significant number of seats.
The political process set in motion by unification was overturned in 1994 when differences between the GPC and YSP led to a brief civil war. But, only three years later, Yemen held its second multiparty parliamentary elections. The GPC achieved an overwhelming victory, capturing more than two-thirds of the seats. In 1999, the country held its first-ever election for President, returning to power the incumbent, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
New parliamentary elections had been scheduled for April 2001, but these were postponed when the constitution was changed to extend the term of the parliament and President. Local elections, the first ever in Yemen, were held in 2001. Parliamentary elections were held in April 2003. Although there were reports of irregularities and intimidation by ruling party supporters, the elections were characterized by a remarkable increase in women's registration, a significant success in the administration of the elections, and a general air of excitement and enthusiasm at the polls.
Program Overview
The Institute's current program is focused on political party leaders, elected national leaders and women's participation to improve the environment in which parties compete and women run in the 2006 local council elections. Further, NDI is assisting Yemen tribal leaders in their efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts.
Current Program Political Party Development The political environment in Yemen continues to be informed by the outcome of the 2003 elections. In this context, NDI's current program assists Yemen's political parties to communicate effectively and to encourage open, constructive and inclusive debate. The Institute is assisting opposition parties to formulate proposed changes to the electoral law and is bringing together political leaders to discuss how to improve often acrimonious relations between parties. In addition, the Institute is encouraging parties to continue the development of their local branches in preparation for the 2006 local council elections.
Women's Participation Although the number of women participating in elections increased, the number of women who ran for and won election in 2003 decreased from previous national contests. NDI has found that, especially in more urban areas, this seems to be an outcome of political rather than cultural bias. Through the current program, NDI aims to increase political party and national support for women candidates and to prepare women to prove their capacity to run for and win office in the 2006 electoral contests. NDI consultations with the Elections Commission led to the establishment of a women's department, with an equal voice in the decision-making process.
Strengthening Parliament The Yemeni parliament possesses considerable constitutional power but a lack of training on the role of parliament in a democracy, the power of the parliamentary leadership, and the minimal role of opposition parties has impeded exercise of those powers. NDI's current program is working to strengthen core skills of Members of Parliament (MP) and develop resource capabilities of parliamentary committees. In March, NDI opened the Democracy Development Center (DDC - www.ndi-yemen.org) to provide technical skills training and research support for MPs, parliamentary committees and staff and to provide a neutral space in which MPs can connect across party lines and with members of Yemeni society.
Tribal Conflict Mitigation Ongoing tribal conflict has prevented government institutions from functioning effectively in certain areas of Yemen and hampered participation in the election and activities of local governing bodies. NDI's current program assists Yemen tribal leaders in their efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts. The Institute is working tribal leaders to end revenge killings and promote development in their governorates. NDI's work includes research to gain insight on community opinions, tribal structures, processes and norms.
2003 Parliamentary Elections Program Political Party Development NDI worked to strengthen Yemen's multiparty system by assisting the three major political factions to enhance their ability to recruit members, communicate with voters, and support candidates running for office.
In the lead-up to the April elections, NDI held a series of discussions and meetings with political parties and Elections Commission officials to facilitate stronger civic input and help ensure the process was transparent and inclusive. At NDI's urging, all three major political parties called for a "violence-free" election day. Discussions with the Elections Commission also addressed sensitive issues such as the political make-up of the local electoral commissions overseeing the elections and the potential effects of a high number of underage voters. This dialogue facilitated political party relations in the contentious pre-election environment.
The Institute facilitated this dialogue in conjunction with programs implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). Along with these organizations, NDI also worked with the Yemeni Elections Commission, with political party input, on improving the administration of the elections.
Domestic Monitoring NDI worked with a loose coalition of NGO partners to assist their efforts to monitor voter registration, campaign period and election day activities. NDI traveled throughout the country providing training to NGO volunteers and monitors. The Institute drafted Yemen-specific manuals for the voter registration, campaign and election day monitoring. The Institute also helped these NGOs compile their observations and draft reports on the registration process and election day observations.
International Election Monitoring NDI sponsored an international delegation to observer the April elections. The delegation, made up of 30 individuals from 11 countries, arrived in Sana'a prior to the election and met with government officials, including President Saleh, political party leaders, civil groups and the media to assess the pre-electoral environment. The delegation deployed around the country on election day to observe activities in polling stations and the counting process. Convening again in Sana'a, the delegation held a press conference and released a preliminary statement of their observations and recommendations.
Women's Political Participation In August 2001, NDI designed and launched a women's political leadership development program working with the newly-elected women local councilors and with the women's branches of political parties. Leading up to the 2003 April elections, NDI conducted a campaign training session specifically for women and worked with civic groups to ensure monitoring of the women's polling stations on election day.
2003 Parliamentary Elections Program Past Elections Programming In August 2000, NDI conducted a pre election observation mission for parliamentary elections that had been anticipated for April 2001. The delegation made several recommendations for the improvement of the political and administrative environment surrounding Yemeni elections generally.
Legislative Strengthening NDI has conducted programs aimed at increasing parliament's legitimacy with Yemeni voters. In 2000, the Institute began working with a multi-partisan group of parliamentarians to increase their capacity to influence the policymaking process and address constituent needs at the national level. As a result, participating members held public meetings in their constituencies, acquainting themselves with the main issues facing their constituents and educating citizens on the role of elected representatives. These public meetings were the first of their kind in Yemen.
Civic Organizing In 1997, NDI provided the Arab Democratic Institute (ADI), an independent Yemeni organization dedicated to strengthening democracy, with funding for a program to monitor election procedures and assisted ADI with its pre election activities and election planning. ADI succeeded in training and organizing more than 10,000 monitors for Election Day, representing the largest domestic election monitoring effort in the Arab world.
Emerging Democracies Forum NDI and the government of Yemen co-sponsored an international conference, Managing The Twin Transitions: Political and Economic Reform in Emerging Democracies, held in Sana'a from June 28 to 30, 1999. Political, civic and economic leaders from sixteen transitional democracies met to explore the challenges of implementing concurrent political and economic reforms, and to discuss methods for increasing public confidence and participation in democratic political institutions. The Forum ended with a formal declaration that outlined a series of specific principles and initiatives essential to continued good governance and democratic development in all the participating states.
Contact Information
For further information on our programs in Yemen,
please contact:
Leigh Catherine Miles, Senior Program Officer Send Email
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