Jordan Times
Friday, November 16, 2007
‘A mix of veteran MPs and
young businessmen spice up elections race’
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN - Election fever in the highly politicised Amman districts has neared its
peak as the countdown for Tuesday’s polls began with candidates engaged in a
flurry of activities to garner support in one of the most closely contested
polls.
Observers expected the fierce campaigns carried out by well-off candidates will
pay off, resulting in a higher turnout in the capital, compared to the
disappointedly low participation in the July municipal elections in the capital.
Main streets, public gathering areas, houses, road tunnels, even hospitals and
schools have turned into billboards with flashy posters of smiling candidates
and slogans worded to grab attention and support.
Observers also believe the political nature of the parliamentary elections will
be the catalyst for more participation in the city.
“Parliament elections have higher political profile than municipal elections,”
said Fares Braizat, deputy director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at the
University of Jordan.
Braizat believes the appointment of the Amman mayor and half the council members
discouraged many voters from showing up at the polling booths on July 30,
insisting that if the mayor was elected, the voting scene would have been more
crowded.
During the municipal elections, polling stations were opened for an additional
day in Amman due to low turnout.
In rural areas where tribal loyalty is sacred, voters scored reasonably high
participation, but that was hardly because of political orientation or
ideological belief, he said. The most striking example was in Wadi Araba, the
underdeveloped area 300km south of Amman, where the turnout exceeded 90 per cent
in July.
The November 20 polls will see 165 candidates competing for the 23 seats in the
seven districts of Amman.
A series of public rallies are being held, bringing candidates and supporters
together in tents contenders have erected to spell out their agendas to the less
than enthusiastic public.
Unity, equality and justice for all are common mottos used by hopefuls, as they
invite men and women to take part in the polls.
The difficult economic situation took the front seat in campaigning caravans,
while women’s and children’s rights, unemployment and freedom of expression were
not highlighted.
This year will see the involvement of a number of heavyweight veterans,
including Khalil Atiyyah (1st District), Musa Wahsh and Abdul Munem Abu Zant
(2nd district), and Mamdouh Abbadi (3rd District).
The mix of experienced MPs and young and successful businessmen will spice up an
already heated competition, said observers.
The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood,
has fielded eight candidates in Amman districts, out of a 22-strong list across
the Kingdom.
IAF Deputy Secretary General Irhayel Gharaibeh said the movement chose to focus
its attention on areas where it has a strong supporter base.
Some of the leading names absent from the battle include Abdul Rahim Malhas and
former MP Mohammad Abu Fares, who was not allowed to run after his expulsion
from the Parliament last year.