Jordan Times
Monday, September 27, 2010
Active participation in
elections key to strong Lower House’
By Khalid Neimat
AMMAN - Prime Minister Samir Rifai on Sunday said the “active participation” of
all Jordanians in the upcoming parliamentary elections would produce a “strong
Lower House that represents all segments of society”.
During a meeting with the premier yesterday, leaders of the centrist National
Current Party described the government’s measures in preparation for the
elections as “unprecedented”, commending its “openness” towards civil society.
Yesterday’s meeting concluded a several-day dialogue Rifai held with political
party leaders to discuss the elections and means to encourage wider
participation, Elections Spokesperson Samih Maaytah told The Jordan Times
yesterday.
The premier will soon hold another round of discussions with civil society
organisations and university students, according to Maaytah.
During yesterday’s meeting, the premier reiterated the government’s commitment
to ensuring that the polls are carried out in accordance with the law.
Maaytah quoted him as saying: “Participation in the parliamentary elections is a
national duty and a constitutional obligation that requires a wide public
participation.”
He expressed hope that those who oppose the elections and wish to boycott them
will respect the law and the Constitution.
The largest opposition group, the Islamic Action Front, has decided to boycott
the vote, citing lack of “genuine political reform and flaws in the Elections
Law”.
Rifai stressed the importance of the Lower House’s role in building a better
future for the generations to come, highlighting that the Kingdom is witnessing
the start of important mega-projects in several sectors including water, nuclear
energy and railways. Such projects “require harmony and agreement over their
implementation” in order to succeed, he said.
President of the National Current Party Abdul Hadi Majali announced last week
that he would not run in the elections, but said during yesterday’s meeting that
the party will take part in the elections.
The party will announce its list of nominees to run in the elections today,
according to Majali, who was accompanied yesterday by several other leaders from
the party.
Sources from the party told The Jordan Times that the front will field 35
candidates to compete for seats of the 120-strong House.
The Islamic Centrist Party yesterday announced what it said was the first list
of its nominees for candidacy.