2013
Jordan Parliamentary Elections
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IRI’s assessment mission notes the missed opportunity to reconsider a system that provides for an
equal number of voters per seats in districts, which would result in a more representative parliament.
Another missed opportunity in the election law was the promotion of political parties, a cornerstone
of King Abdullah’s vision for a more democratic Jordan. Although the number of list-based seats
was increased from 17 to 27, the legal right for political movements and independent candidates to
compete with party-lists does not encourage political party participation to the degree that a system
restricted to parties might have done. Additionally, if Jordan wants to encourage the election of a
more representative parliament, the number of seats elected from national proportional lists should
constitute a higher percentage of seats than the current 18 percent.
The assessment team was told that the new law on press and publications was an attempt by the
government to stifle dissent, although it remains to be seen how the law might impact election
coverage or campaigning. On a related note, state media in Jordan is required to provide equal air
time for all candidates; however, there are no regulations stipulating when candidates’ statements are
to be aired. This leaves the process open to favoritism and could unfairly benefit candidates granted
prime time coverage. The misuse of media may also have direct negative consequences. For
example, one civil society group told the team that state media is employing a negative campaign
aimed at those who are boycotting the election, and that private media is already running candidate
advertisements in violation of the election law, which states that campaigning cannot begin until one
month prior to the elections.
The 2012 election law, like its predecessors, fails to address campaign financing. Several
stakeholders said that a lack of a maximum spending limit for electoral campaigns could create
problems during the official campaign period.
In a final note, the team observed a noticeable difference of opinion among rural voters versus
voters, analysts and political stakeholders in the capital. During a meeting with a citizen’s committee
in Ajloun, a city two hours north of Amman, the team heard a more positive experience from
citizens planning to participate in the election who attested that they and their family members had
all registered to vote by choice. However, some expressed concern that there was less accountability
with a national list as opposed to the stronger voter-parliamentarian connection resulting from
districts.
The team was able to interview a number of youth and was encouraged by those planning to vote
and who were open to learning more about political parties. As young people constitute a growing
segment of Jordan’s population, the success of parties, candidates and the country’s electoral
institutions in mobilizing their participation is increasingly important to the success of Jordan’s
reforms.
IRI conducted the assessment at the invitation of the Jordan’s IEC from October 17-21, 2012, to
measure Jordan’s progress on electoral and political reforms, and to provide a baseline from which
to measure the transparency and credibility of the country’s electoral process. During the mission,
delegates interviewed a variety of stakeholders and reviewed both the technical and political aspects
of forthcoming parliamentary elections.
