The World - News from July 6, 1988

Balloting got under way in Yemen’s first general election as more than 1 million voters were expected to choose among 1,200 candidates for seats in a 128-member Parliament. The new Parliament will open later this month with the power to legislate, ratify treaties, elect the president and supervise government machinery. The election is seen by analysts as a milestone in Yemen’s commitment to unification with Marxist-ruled South Yemen. The two countries have committed themselves to drawing up a constitution for an integrated Yemen, and the framework stipulates the holding of free elections.