Head of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Parliament Ali Abu Huliqa stressed the joint committee in charge of studying the government request as to making amendments to some elections and referendum law will resume it work following Eid Al-Adha vacation due to end today.

Abu Huliqa told media sources that his committee will discuss the government request in accordance with constitution, hinting they will not commit themselves to any agreement between the ruling party – the General People Congress – and opposition – Joint Meeting Parties – because they represent nation not the parties. 

Over the last few months, there has been a great disparity between the ruling party and opposition as to the formation of the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum.

Last November, the government submitted a law draft to Parliament aiming to amend three articles within the existing referendum and elections law issued in 2001; wherein a seven-member commission of judges is to be formed.

Meanwhile, Joint Meeting Parties warn against taking any private measures by the ruling party aiming to form the elections commission, maintaining the commission should represent all parties and political forces. 

They are exerting a huge pressure to make President Saleh interfere for solving the pending problem, stressing the importance that the new commission should not be a copy of the former one which that was partial and favored the ruling party. 

The Supreme Judicial Council is to choose a list of 21 members and then refer the list to the Parliament's Presidency Board to select 14 members from among the 21 members. Later, the president is to choose seven members through a republican decree.

The amendments also state that the commission member should not be dismissed only with a decision by the president and in case he resigns or dies,  his successor is to be chosen from the 14-member list referred previously to the president.