Almotamar.net - Acting Secretary General of the General People's Congress (GPC) emphasized that the GPC is keen to hold the upcoming parliamentary elections on their constitutional date and in democratic and honest atmospheres, warning against attempts for postponing the elections as that would represent a danger for the democratic process in Yemen.

On the constitutional amendments intended to be made in the elections law, he affirmed it was agreed on with the political parties to add articles considering the use of the public fund a crime punishable by the law. He also disclosed about unprecedented extortionist practices by some political forces the GPC comes under.

In his meeting Wednesday with the resident representative of the International Foundation of for Election Systems (IFES) in Yemen Peter Williams, al-Akwaa pointed out that agreement of the GPC on some amendments in the elections law came out of the keenness on the democratic experiment and holding the elections on time.

Al-Akwaa said the party that fails in the elections tries to find excuses for its failure. And he affirmed the GPC is keen that all parties of the National Alliance will be part of the political action and to compete for the seats of parliament in the upcoming elections, stressing the necessity of the woman attaining the parliament.

On principles of the National Democratic Alliance al-Akwaa said they head for holding the elections in the scheduled date and to allow their postponement. He refused any back down from the democratic march as well as fighting terror and extremism , fighting corruption , enhancement of security and stability , freedom of the press , respect of rights and general freedoms, indicating that the opportunity is open for to the rest parties to join it.

On his part the Executive of IFES office in Yemen stressed the necessity of independence of the Supreme Elections Commission and pointed out that it is the right of the political parties to appoint observers for performance of electoral committees. Mr Williams expressed appreciation of IFES for the stand of the GPC with regard to supporting the woman participation.

Mr Williams also pointed out the necessity of allocating enough financial support for all parties to enable them play their role actively in the political life and in the elections and there must be transparency concerning financial resources for electoral campaigns.