Jordan Times
Thursday, November 15, 2007
All set to observe
elections - NCHR
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN - The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) said Wednesday all
arrangements are in place for NGOs, led by the centre, to observe and follow the
November 20 parliamentary polls.
NCHR Commissioner General Shaher Bak told The Jordan Times in an interview that
a total of 16 NGOs have so far expressed their wish to participate in observing
the forthcoming parliamentary elections under the umbrella of the centre.
The organisations, he said, include five women rights groups, five human rights
organisations, two youth centres, two research and studies centres, and two
societies concerned with the elections.
Their mission, according to the commissioner, is to make sure that the public
freely exercise their constitutional right to vote in the elections in a free
and democratic manner, adding that the civic community is entitled to observe
the process.
Bak said both the government and the NCHR’s goal is to ensure free and fair
elections, thus the centre and the affiliated NGOs, through observing the
process, are helping the government meet its commitments.
The official said observing the elections does not necessarily mean questioning
the integrity of anyone, but it is all about working side by side to achieve the
desired outcome.
Around 150 activists representing the participating NGOs will take part in the
process, but they have to abide by the rules.
When they spot what they see as a violation, for example, they are not allowed
to discuss it with election officials in the polling booth in question. Rather
they are “requested to watch and to write down their remarks and then report
their observation to the NCHR”.
“Our staff will be on duty round-the-clock during election day, while others
will be stationed at the Interior Ministry’s operations room,” Bak added.
After examining the observers’ complaints, the centre will discuss the relevant
authorities to take action, Bak noted, encouraging citizens to report to the
centre any acts perceived as illegal during the vote.
The NCHR has allocated five hotlines to receive complaints from NGOs’
representatives or from citizens: (080022320; 0799169054; 0799169056; 06
5920396; 06 5932257).
Bak pointed out that the observers will not be allowed to take photos or
question voters inside the polling centres. But outside, they are free to talk
to anyone, whether a voter or a candidate. The restrictions are meant to
regulate the observation process, he stressed.
Earlier this month, 15 NGOs said they dropped a plan to monitor the elections,
citing “limited access” to the process by the government.
Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh said Tuesday authorities “have been meeting
regularly with the NCHR since September in order to have the centre act as an
umbrella under which all civil society institutions wishing to participate in
the exercise will operate”.