Report: Vote-buying Influenced Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections

An election official wearing a protective mask empties a ballot box following Jordan’s parliamentary elections (File photo: Reuters)
An election official wearing a protective mask empties a ballot box following Jordan’s parliamentary elections (File photo: Reuters)
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Report: Vote-buying Influenced Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections

An election official wearing a protective mask empties a ballot box following Jordan’s parliamentary elections (File photo: Reuters)
An election official wearing a protective mask empties a ballot box following Jordan’s parliamentary elections (File photo: Reuters)

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.



12 Turkish Soldiers Killed by Gas Exposure During Cave Search in Northern Iraq

A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28 ,2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28 ,2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
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12 Turkish Soldiers Killed by Gas Exposure During Cave Search in Northern Iraq

A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28 ,2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28 ,2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Twelve Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq, the defense ministry said on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said the incident took place on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a Turkish soldier killed during a military operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Other soldiers who are also exposed to the gas in the cave have been taken to the hospital for treatment, the ministry said.

The cave was at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 foot) and was known to have been used as a hospital by the PKK in the past, although it had since been cleared by Turkish soldiers.

Türkiye and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict which has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Türkiye has set up a series of bases in northern Iraq, where the PKK has been established for decades.