Jordan Times
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Election Watch
HRH Prince Raad, the Chief Chamberlain, on Tuesday discussed with elections
officials facilities offered to people with disabilities who plan to vote in the
November 20 legislative polls. Amman Governor Saad Manaseer briefed the Prince
on arrangements that will ensure accessibility for disabled voters in the
capital’s 56 polling centres, including an escort service for the blind.
A total of 1,430 schools, which will be used as polling and vote counting
centres, will observe a holiday on Monday, November 19, in addition to November
20, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday. The decision was taken to
prepare these schools for the polling process. Other schools will remain open on
Monday.
Elections and security officials met in Maan yesterday to review procedures
which will ensure smooth elections next week. Chaired by Maan Governor Mohammad
Rawashdeh, the meeting’s agenda included a discussion of voting procedures and
rules. The governor reminded the officials that candidates’ representatives are
not allowed to use cellular phones inside polling centres. A similar meeting was
held in Jiza, 30km south of Amman, with the head of the Central Badia election
committee, Yahya Hadid.
The police will carry out drills in preparation for the November 20
parliamentary polls in Aqaba and Amman, today and tomorrow, respectively.
Policemen will be trained on how to deal with potential emergencies on election
day.
Irbid Governor Ali Fayez announced on Tuesday that a Fifth District candidate,
Suleiman Fayad Obeidat, has withdrawn from the race. Two other candidates
Mohammad Shboul (Fourth District) and Talal Qamajat (Eighth District) also
pulled out, he said. In Karak, Governor Fawwaz Irsheidat said three hopefuls
from the First District withdrew, leaving behind 30 contenders in the same
constituency.
The Student Deanship at the Jordan University of Science and Technology invited
columnists Samih Maaitah and Sultan Hattab to talk to students about the
necessity of participating in the upcoming parliamentary polls. Speakers and
university officials said they wanted the youth to contribute to electing a
Lower House that can help the country address its challenges.