The political turmoil in Yemen is widening as the bloc of the Joint Meeting Parties, the opposition, and independent lawmakers announced their boycott to the parliamentary sittings and vowed to continue their protest at the House of Representatives on Saturday.

The dangerous development was sparked by Parliament Speaker Yahya Al-Ra'e's blackout on their protest.

Differences between the ruling party and the opposition have recently widened over several issues including the 2011 parliamentary elections and unilateral moves by the ruling party including voting for and passing the controversial election law and forming an election commission from judges.

At a press conference today, MP Sultan Al-Atwani said the JMP bloc is considering escalation options starting with continuing the protest at the House, to joining the public onto the streets in various governorates.

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections, MP Sakhr Al-Wajeeh said the JMP wants free and transparent elections according to February 2009 Agreement.

The opposition will not allow the General People's Congress, the ruling party, to do what it wants at the expense of constitutional rights of lawmakers and the public, he said.

The conference issued a final statement holding the ruling party fully responsible for the current situation and for reckless steps that could lead to dangerous consequences and deepening the political turmoil.

The insistence of the ruling party on holding the elections that we can't be sure if they will be free and fair aggravates the situation, the statement said, adding that under the clear stance of the party the elections will be rigged.

The turmoil started in November when the ruling party boycotted dialogue meetings with the opposition and said it will go ahead with preparations for the upcoming elections despite the differences with the JMP.

Meanwhile, the opposition has described the unilateral moves by the ruling party including the vote on the controversial election law and forming the supreme commission for elections and referendums from judges as unconstitutional and as a coup against February Agreement.