Saleh was elected as the country's first directly elected president through a presidential election

In a pivotal moment for Yemen's political landscape, Saleh was elected as the country's first directly elected president through a presidential election. This election marked a significant shift in Yemen's governance, moving from a system where leaders were appointed or came to power through other means to one where the populace had a direct say in their leadership. Saleh secured an overwhelming majority, receiving 96.2% of the votes cast. His main opponent, Najeeb Qahtan Al-Sha'abi, was a member of Saleh's General People's Congress party but ran as an independent candidate. Najeeb was also the son of a former President of South Yemen, which added a layer of historical significance to the election. The election process was seen as a step towards democratic governance in a country that had experienced significant political turmoil, including a civil war that had previously divided the nation. Saleh's election was supported by various factions within Yemen, and it was viewed as a consolidation of power for his party, which had been a dominant force in Yemeni politics since unification.