Amman, Jordan is gearing up for historic parliamentary elections on Tuesday, a significant milestone following the approval of constitutional amendments and new laws to enhance democracy and bolster the role of political parties. These changes will bring about a shift in how Jordan is governed, aiming to lessen the influence of tribal affiliations in politics.
The reforms, approved in March 2022, include a larger role for political parties, increased women’s representation in Parliament, and changes to the electoral system. Candidates will now compete in 18 local districts using an open-list proportional representation system (OLPR) for the majority of parliamentary seats. Additionally, licensed political parties can now compete in a closed-list proportional representation system (CLPR) for a portion of seats.
These reforms were introduced to address criticisms of the electoral system favoring independent candidates over political parties, and to boost voter turnout, which dropped in the previous election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jordan has also faced economic challenges, high unemployment rates, and regional tensions impacting its tourism sector.
While experts believe the reforms may not drastically transform the political landscape in these elections, they could bring about incremental improvements. However, factors such as the ongoing tensions in the region and economic hardships may dampen public interest in the changes.
Ultimately, these elections will not only shape the political future of Jordan but also serve as a crucial indicator of the country’s commitment to democratic reforms and its ability to address the concerns of its citizens, including the Palestinian population.
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