Jordan Times
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Media, NGOs’ role vital
in elections - gov’t
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN - The government on Monday urged the media to expose any violations in the
run-up to the legislative polls, especially vote buying, encouraging voters to
elect the most competent candidates.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit reiterated the important role civic society
organisations play in electing a strong Parliament on November 20, according to
the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
“The government informed the general coordinator and members of the Jordanian
Civil Coalition for Democratic Elections two months ago that it is important to
encourage civil society institutions to monitor the elections,” said the
premier, adding that this was the same position he made clear to the National
Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) during a meeting on September 16.
He stressed that a strong Parliament comprising qualified, experienced deputies
is capable of addressing challenges facing the country.
Bakhit was speaking at a workshop on the role of NGOs in the elections,
organised by the Ministry of Political Development at Al Hussein Youth City.
Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Eid Fayez echoed the premier’s remarks, saying
the ministry is doing its best to ensure the elections will be conducted in a
free and fair manner.
“The ministry has set up 3,995 ballot boxes to be distributed in the Kingdom’s
1,434 voting centres,” Fayez said during a discussion with the media staged by
the Higher Media Council (HMC) on Monday.
Fayez said the ministry has connected all polling centres to a computer network
to monitor the elections, speed up voting and prevent violations.
The 2001 Elections Law permits candidates and their representatives to attend
and monitor elections inside polling centres and during vote counting. In
addition, the government has recently decided to allow civil societies and
political organisations to monitor the process in coordination with the NCHR,
which the government established to serve as a financially and administratively
independent watchdog.
The minister stressed that the government would combat the so-called “political
money” wherever it is spotted, urging citizens to report any such cases to
authorities.
“Those caught red-handed will be sued,” Fayez said, adding that a special task
force has been formed at his ministry to detect any such violations.
In order to facilitate the work of the media, Fayez said, the ministry has
established a media centre at the Royal Cultural Centre, in addition to the one
established at the ministry’s headquarters.
He said election authorities have taken measures to ensure the media can do its
job in a smooth manner. Around 1,500 badges will be distributed to reporters
covering the polls.
Fayez pointed out that 1,006 candidates applied to run for elections, of which
nine were disqualified because they did not meet the requirements.
Meanwhile, he added, election authorities have cancelled illegitimate transfer
of 86,000 voters’ records from one constituency to another. In order to transfer
a vote from one district or city to another, he explained, citing regulations,
citizens must present documents proving change of residence.
The minister added that the ministry will mark voter IDs after casting vote in
order to prevent fraud. He stopped short of specifying the nature of this mark.
‘Media principles’
President of the HMC Sima Bahous highlighted eight main principles the media
should observe when covering the elections, included in a list of guidelines
compiled by the council in cooperation with the Jordan Press Association (JPA).
The guidelines call on journalists to be fair, precise and balanced when
reporting election news in order to avoid misleading the public.
“The list also includes instructions to provide citizens with information as
well as encouraging discussions and dialogue,” she added, stressing the
importance of distinguishing between sensational versus objective and
informative reporting.
Head of the Elections Higher Committee Amjad Qadi said the media’s coverage of
the elections is crucial for the success of the process.
Nabil Gheishan, deputy president of the JPA, noted that the media also shares
the responsibility to familiarise citizens with the importance of the polls,
whose outcome affects their daily life.
“It is important to explain the laws related to the elections to citizens and to
follow up on the candidates’ electoral programmes with utmost integrity,” he
added.
An honourable reporter should not let personal interests affect judgement while
covering the process as it may influence the public, he added.
Gheishan urged the government to establish a way to offer the media unrestricted
access to information without making journalists wait for briefings by any
spokesperson.