Violence Mars Yemen Vote

Yemeni voters go to the polls today, though their options are limited: Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi is the only candidate on the ballot. Nevertheless, the BBC reports that Yemenis in the capital are excited at the prospect of ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year reign. Saleh, for his part, urged people to vote for Hadi to ensure “a peaceful transition of power.” Nevertheless, violence did break out in the south, where separatists are calling for a voter boycott. At least six people were killed at southern polling stations.