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.



Israel Pressures Lebanon with US Cover

UNIFIL vehicles conduct a military patrol in a border area between Lebanon and Israel (DPA). 
UNIFIL vehicles conduct a military patrol in a border area between Lebanon and Israel (DPA). 
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Israel Pressures Lebanon with US Cover

UNIFIL vehicles conduct a military patrol in a border area between Lebanon and Israel (DPA). 
UNIFIL vehicles conduct a military patrol in a border area between Lebanon and Israel (DPA). 

Lebanese sources question the United States’ absence from Lebanon’s political and diplomatic scene, arguing that this has allowed Israel to escalate its violations of the ceasefire agreement.

They say that this disengagement has freed Israel’s hand to assassinate Hezbollah figures—most recently Hassan Badr—and conduct airstrikes on towns north of the Litani River.

The situation has been further complicated by the US-driven suspension of the international monitoring committee overseeing the ceasefire. This is tied to Lebanon’s reluctance to form three committees requested by US envoy Morgan Ortagus, addressing Lebanese prisoners in Israel, the Israeli withdrawal from occupied points, and border demarcation, including 13 disputed areas.

The political circles in Lebanon now anticipate Ortagus’ visit, during which she will meet key officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Israel, emboldened by US support, continues military pressure on Lebanon, raising concerns that it seeks to enforce UN Resolution 1701 through force to push Lebanon into negotiations that could lead to normalization.

There is speculation that Israel aims to trade normalization for a demilitarized zone extending beyond South Lebanon to include areas north of the Litani River, eliminating Hezbollah’s military presence there. However, Aoun has emphasized Lebanon’s defense strategy, which aims to ensure the state’s exclusive control over weapons across the entire country.

Sources suggest Hezbollah must adopt a pragmatic approach and support Lebanon’s diplomatic push rather than relying on military rhetoric. However, in a recent speech, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group’s commitment to resistance and warned of open-ended options if diplomacy fails. This stance appears contradictory, as Hezbollah has recently shifted toward diplomatic engagement, especially given Israel’s current advantage in deterrence and rules of engagement.

In contrast, Aoun and Salam have actively pushed for US intervention to enforce Israel’s withdrawal and implement Resolution 1701.

Israel’s occupation of several points has blocked the Lebanese Army’s deployment alongside UNIFIL to the international border. Blaming Lebanon for failing to comply with international resolutions is unfair when Israel continues its violations. The international monitoring committee has even praised the Lebanese Army’s efforts in implementing the ceasefire agreement.

Lebanese sources reject claims that Washington blames Aoun and Salam for not adhering to their commitments. They argue that Israel’s violations are the primary issue, not Lebanon’s policies.

Salam’s position on ending non-state weapons and moving beyond the “army, people, and resistance” formula was welcomed by Washington but rejected by Hezbollah, which continues to use the rhetoric for political mobilization.

Sources stress that Aoun’s refusal to negotiate normalization with Israel aligns with Lebanon’s political consensus. During his visit to Paris, he emphasized that border talks should follow the same diplomatic protocols used in previous maritime negotiations.

Meanwhile, intelligence reports suggest that Hezbollah was not involved in the recent rocket attacks on Israel, reinforcing Speaker Nabih Berri’s statement that these incidents may have been orchestrated by Israel for strategic purposes.

Security agencies are close to uncovering the truth, with Lebanese and Palestinian suspects under investigation.