Jordan PM refuses to review poll law

Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh has declared that his government has no intention to review a controversial elections law that was endorsed by parliament and polls will be held by the end the year. The reaffirmation of the position appeared to have set the seal on a decision announced by opposition parties that they will boycott the elections if held under the current legislation. Appearing on Jordan Television, Tarawneh said the law has gone through all its constitutional channels and with the recent issuance of a royal decree and its publication in the official gazette, it has officially taken effect. “Let me make it it clear, there will be no new amendments to the elections law and the upcoming parliamentary polls will be held before the end of this year on the basis of this law,” he said. He also noted that King Abdullah II had already intervened to amend the legislation after opposition parties demanded that 50 per cent of the 150 seats in the lower house be set aside for political parties at the national level. Subsequently, the government changed the law and raised to 27  the number of seats allocated for political was raised to 27 instead of 17. One hundred and eight seats will be for individual candidates at the constituency level and 15 seats are set aside for women. Tarawneh said the law will contribute to enhancing the political aspect of the polls, driving people to vote for programmes and agendas and not individuals. “For the first time in decades, parliamentary elections will be held in the country on the basis of a permanent legislation and it is hoped that the upcoming polls will lay the groundwork for parliamentary governments formed by partisan parliamentary blocs,” Tarawneh said. “The electoral law is a controversial political legislation in nature and is not something sacred and untouchable; it can be revisited later through the same constitutional channels that endorsed it,” he added. Tarawneh said several political parties and popular forces suggested various electoral systems. “Every party claimed that its proposal would gain the agreement of the majority but no one accepts the government saying the same about the current elections law,” he said. Asked whether the elections law would be amended during an expected extraordinary session of parliament, Tarawneh said: “Again, let it be clear that the legislation will not be revisited and that the next polls will be conducted on its basis.” He also noted that a newly set up independent elections commission will guarantee the fairness and transparency of the polls and the panel is working relentlessly to be fully ready for that mandate. He said voter identification cards will be distributed soon. Describing participation in the elections as a “national duty,” the prime minister underlined that active participation is the only way to achieve the envisioned reform and that boycotting the polls is passive behaviour that will not serve the reform process. “If boycotting the polls is a right, urging others to stay away from the elections is a violation of the constitution,” Tarawneh said. The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, and several other parties have said they will not take part in the elections if held under the current legislation. From:Gulftoday