UN Peace-Building Fund Contributes One Million Dollars to Support the Early Presidential Elections in Yemen

ÇÎÈÇÑ ÇáÓÚíÏÉ - yemen - Sana’a         ÇáÊÇÑíÎ : 07-02-2012

The UN Peace-Building Fund (PBF) has allocated one million dollars to the UNDP “Support to Elections During the Transitional” Project. Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Senior Country Director in Yemen, described this contribution as “timely”, and said: “it allows us to fill the financial gap of the Presidential elections”.

“This contribution supports critical training activities and reinforces the awareness campaign”, he added.

The implementation of the project will significantly contribute to the advancement of PBF’s priorities in Yemen. It will bolster good governance and contribute to initiate national dialogue, reconciliation, and the process of constitutional and legislative reform envisaged in the GCC agreement.

The response of the international community to the electoral cycle in Yemen has been remarkable. In just 45 days, the financial needs of the Presidential elections, which amount around US$ 8 million, were covered. Japan, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the PBF have quickly joined initial contributions made by the European Union and UNDP. This support covers technical equipment, electoral kits, training of Elections staff, media campaign and technical assistance.

The Supreme Committee for Elections and Referendum has been closely working with all partners to ensure smooth and transparent elections. “The Government is responsible for the security of the elections, logistic, salaries and per diems”, Mr. Gonzalez confirms.

He also said: “a key element in the preparation of this election is, now, the role of political parties in engaging every citizen to take part in the Presidential election, which is the entry point to the transition”.