Polling stations opened Tuesday in Yemen as voters cast their ballots to replace President Ali Abdullah Saleh after 33 years in power dpa reported
Saleh's deputy, Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, is the sole candidate in the election, which comes as a result of a deal signed in November by Saleh and the opposition for a peaceful transfer of power.
About 100,000 soldiers were deployed across the country's 21 provinces to ensure peace and security, the Higher Election Commission said.
Several groups that were active in the uprising against Saleh's rule urged people to turn out en mass for the election.
However, a movement calling for the separation of the southern provinces from the republic and Shiite rebels, known as the Houthis, have called on people to boycott the voting.
Several polling stations were targeted by blasts Monday by people who oppose the polls.
Under a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saleh agreed to relinquish power to Hadi in exchange for immunity from prosecution. The agreement followed 10 months of violence as Saleh's government cracked down on demonstrators calling for his ouster, leaving nearly 900 people dead.
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote in Yemen, which has a population of 24.7 million people, according to the latest census.
Polling stations in 301 constituencies were scheduled to be open for 10 hours until 6 pm (0300 GMT).
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