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Polls Open in Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections 

A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
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Polls Open in Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections 

A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Polling stations opened at across Jordan on Tuesday in the country’s 20th parliamentary elections, marking a significant milestone as the Kingdom embarks on its second century.

More than 5.1 million registered voters are eligible to participate, reflecting a broad engagement in the political process, reported the state news agency Petra.

People will cast their votes at 1,649 polling stations across 18 electoral districts, with 5,843 ballot boxes set up. Ninety-five centers have been specially equipped to accommodate voters with disabilities.

Jordan’s electoral system divides the Kingdom into 18 local districts, with 97 seats available for contest. Candidates in the general electoral district will compete for 41 seats, bringing the total number of parliamentary seats to 138.

A total of 697 candidates are running in the general electoral district, including 505 men and 192 women. In the local districts, 937 candidates are competing, with 747 men and 190 women.

Voting will close at 7:00 pm. The counting of votes will begin immediately after the polls close, with results expected within 48 hours.

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European Parliament Requests Immediate Release of Sansal

French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (AFP) 
French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (AFP) 
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European Parliament Requests Immediate Release of Sansal

French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (AFP) 
French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (AFP) 

The European Union Parliament adopted on Thursday a resolution calling for the immediate release of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been detained in Algeria since November.

“Sansal must be immediately and unconditionally released, alongside journalist Abdelwakil Blamm, writer Tadjadit Mohamed, and all other activists, journalists, human rights defenders and people detained for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression in Algeria,” according to a statement released by the Parliament.

The resolution was adopted by 533 votes for, 24 against and 48 abstentions. It was supported by five of the eight political groups in the European Parliament (conservatives from the European People's Party, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists, nationalists from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, liberals from the Renew Europe Group, and the Group of the Greens).

The 75-year-old writer, granted French nationality in 2024, is being held under Article 87 of the Algerian penal code, which covers terrorism, threats and state security.

His detention by Algeria comes against a background of tensions between France and its former colony.

Last January, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Algeria, saying Sansal was being held “in a totally arbitrary manner” by the Algerian authorities. In response, the Algerian government dismissed Macron’s comments, calling them “an unacceptable intrusion in Algeria’s internal affairs.”