NDI and YEMN release report on voter registration process

The process of voter registration carried out, November 2008 was technically sound, but fundamentally undermined by a lack of universal participation, resulting from a political disagreement between the ruling General People’s Congress (GPC) party and the opposition coalition of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP).

The disclosure came in a press release issued by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and the Yemen Elections Monitoring Network (YEMN) on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. The joint report was the final report on observations of the November 2008 voter registration process.  

The final report detailed observations of the November 2008 voter registration process. The report indicates a lack of accord among the parties which sought to cast doubt from the onset about the impartiality and independence of the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referenda (SCER) given the process by which it was established and the composition of its members.

The report focuses on the political environment surrounding the registration period, a technical review of the registration processes, the challenges identified by domestic observers and recommendations for building confidence in the voter registration process.  Although the report was drafted prior to discussions and an accord between the General People’s Conference and the Joint Meeting Parties, the recommendations remain relevant to the broader electoral reform package being discussed.  

“The proposed recommendations are consistent with suggestions made by the NDI as a result of previous observation mission analyses,” said Heather Therrien, Country Director for NDI in Yemen. “We hope this document serves as a tool for all stakeholders in the larger discussion on electoral reforms.”

The NDI and the YEMN conducted a joint observer mission to monitor the voter registration process, fielding 327 volunteer monitors across 13 governorates throughout the 15-day registration period. The observation mission sought to provide an accurate and objective assessment of Yemen’s 2008 voter registration process; ensure the rights of eligible voters to register or change their voting domicile; and build public confidence in electoral and democratic processes in advance of the parliamentary elections. 

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.  Since its founding in 1983, the NDI and its local partners have worked to establish and advance democratic institutions and practices by building political and civic organizations, safeguarding elections, and promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

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