Yemen Holds Presidential Election with 1 Runner

A handout photo released by the Yemeni Presidency Office on 25 September 2011 shows Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh delivering a speech in Sana’a, Yemen, on 25 September 2011. EPA/BGNES

Yemenis go to the polls Tuesday as the country holds a presidential election for the first time in 33 years, the only candidate being Ali Abdullah Saleh's deputy, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Hadi was selected as the sole candidate by a consensus of President Saleh's ruling party and the opposition coalition. The predetermined outcome of Tuesday's election has triggered predictions for a low voter turnout.

Hadi will lead Yemen during a two-year transition that's expected to end with a new parliament and constitution.

The vote would make Saleh the fourth Arab strongman to leave office in a year after revolts in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.