Vote-buying had an impact on Jordan’s parliamentary elections and their results, according to a local report.
Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, which monitors the polls through its program Rased, issued last week its report on the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The report was prepared by 3,000 observers who tracked the electoral process in all its stages, in collaboration with 252 civil society institutions distributed over all districts.
It revealed a number of complaints relating to interventions of “official and semi-official bodies” before the deadline for candidate withdrawals from the polls, which directly or indirectly affected the ballots.
In addition, the report noted that nine complaints on “vote-buying” were referred to the security services while 42 others were referred to the public prosecutor for investigation.
“All cases referred to the prosecutor by the Independent Elections Commission have been backed by enough evidence.”
The report stated that the lengthy litigation in the complaints contributed to "weakening the citizen's confidence in the adequacy of legislation and practices in prosecuting the violators and contributed to increasing vote-buying cases."
In addition, Rased observers noted a tangible weakness in the application of electoral procedures and instructions among members of electoral committees in all districts.
They indicated that the discrepancies in the application of procedures led to heightened tensions during the final counting stage.
Several data entrants made various mistakes, given that the input process was broadcast live for the attendees, prompting a number of candidates to lose confidence in the committees, according to the report.
The publication of the report coincided with statements of King Abdullah II who affirmed to Petra news agency that “we must revisit laws regulating political life, such as the election, political parties, and local administration laws, and continue political development efforts.”
The monarch stated that the goal for many years has been to reach a platform-based political party scene that reflects the ideology and leanings of Jordanians, and carries forward their concerns and national causes, and works towards achieving their aspirations by conveying their voices and bringing their representatives to parliament.
Observers linked between the King’s statements and the possible dissolution of the current parliament in preparation for early elections based on a new electoral law.
The polls were held last November according to a list system based on proportional representation within the 23 electoral districts distributed over all Jordanian governorates and regions.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Senate President Faisal al-Fayez, and Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Abdul Muneim Odat stressed the need to cooperate to put the King's vision into practice.
During their meeting, the officials agreed that authorities should open channels of communication with civil society institutions, municipalities, local communities, and political parties to upgrade political legislation, including the elections, political parties, and local administration laws.
