Jordanian court rules in electoral dispute

A Jordanian court has overturned an appeal filed by one parliamentary candidate against another, following the country’s contentious January 23 elections. MP Abla Abu Elba contested a previously announced victory for fellow parliamentarian Hazem Qashou in the recent vote. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced Qashou as the seat winner one day after parliamentary elections, on January 24. A Wednesday court ruling judged Qashou as the winner, with 53 votes over his closest opponent. Abu Elba has sworn to appeal the decision again, claiming the election was “not fair.”