Jordan Times
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Lower House endorse
several articles of draft municipalities law
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday endorsed several articles of the draft
municipalities’ law, including one that authorises the government to appoint two
members in each municipal council.
Opponents of the article said the appointment of individuals in an elected
council was against democracy, but the government, backed by several lawmakers,
said the provision was important to guarantee the representation of minorities.
In a previous session, the Lower House endorsed an article that authorises the
government to appoint two women in each municipality as part of a general policy
to give women a chance to participate in decision-making.
With the approval of these articles, the government will be able to appoint four
members in each municipal council except Amman, where half the council members
are appointees.
During yesterday’s four hour-session, MPs rejected an article that bans members
of the Parliament from running for municipal council seats.
An hour-long debate took place on the “legality and feasibility” of allowing
deputies to hold posts in Parliament as well as municipal councils.
Those in favour, led by Deputy Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh (Irbid, Second District),
a former prime minister, argued that deputies would enrich municipalities with
their experience and deliver better services to the public.
They also claimed that the article banning deputies from assuming two posts was
presented by a former government to “target certain deputies and prevent them
from assuming posts in large municipalities.”
Other lawmakers, including Hashem Dabbas, (Balqa Third District), head of the
House Financial Committee, said holding both posts was a “flagrant violation of
the Constitution” which bans individuals from holding two public positions.
Dabbas’ argument received support from Minister of State for Legal Affairs
Khalid Samara Zu’bi, who noted that lawmakers are “in a higher position than
council members, therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the two posts.”
Lawmakers also debated articles governing qualifications of candidates for
mayors and council members, election procedures, ballot count and measures to
prevent vote rigging.
For the post of Amman mayor, candidates must hold a bachelors degree, while
individuals who wish to run for mayorship in rural areas must be Tawjihi
graduates and at least 25 years-old or above.
Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali adjourned the session until Sunday to
finalise the remaining articles of the draft law, which will then be sent to the
Senate for study.
The government said once the bill was ready, it would start making preparations
for municipal elections later this year.
The draft law allows a wider range of citizens to cast their ballots by reducing
the age of qualified voters from 19 to 18 years old.
Among other changes are direct elections of mayors outside Amman and granting 20
per cent of municipal council seats for women, including in Amman.
The bill also authorises the government to appoint women to councils where the
required number of women candidates is not realised.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said the government is committed to conducting
municipal elections this year in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s
directives to forge ahead with the political reform drive.
Other important legislation on political reform awaiting discussion at the
Parliament includes the draft political parties, access to information and press
and publications laws.