In a sign that the upcoming controversial parliamentary elections will be held on time despite the current political deadlock and mess in Yemen, two deputies prime minister and seven ministers have resigned as they seek to run in the elections.

They did not attend the weekly meeting of the Cabinet today; according to the election law that calls for any senior official who seeks to run in an election to render a resignation three months before candidacy.

The deputies were Rashad Al-Alimi, deputy premier for Defense and Security Affairs and Sadiq Abu Ras deputy premier for Internal Affairs.

The ministers were Abdul Rahman Al-Akwa'a, minister of state, mayor of the Secretariat Capital, Yahya Al-Shuaibi of Civil Service and Insurance, Hamoud Ubad of Youth and Sports, Mansour Al-Hawshabi of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ahmed Al-Kuhlani, minister of state for Parliament and Shura Affairs, Nabil Al-Faqih of Tourism and Awadh Al-Socotri of Electricity and Energy.

The article 60 of the election law stipulates that prime minister and his deputies, ministers and their deputies and heads of governmental authorities can run in an election three months after they leave their jobs since the opening of nominations.

It also calls for governors, their deputies, judges, directors of ministries and governorates offices, military and security commanders and local executive officials who seek competing for seats in Parliament at their constituencies to resign three months before candidacies.