Jordan: HRW Calls for Release of Former Parliamentary Candidate
December 13th, 2010 by Jason
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a statement Sunday calling for the release of Tahir Nassar, who unsuccessfully ran as an independent in the November parliamentary elections. Part of his platform called for the end of “discrimination between citizens on the basis of the birthplace.” Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that the authorities “waited for the international election monitors to leave before clamping down on a candidate who sought reform […] The authorities persist in using criminal laws to stifle unwelcome views.” Nassar was charged under article 150 of the penal code for “undermining national unity and ’stirring up sectarian strife.’”
Posted in Civil Society, Freedom, Human Rights, Jordan, Judiciary | Comment »
Khouri Assesses Elections Across the Arab World
November 22nd, 2010 by Evan
Writing in the Daily Star, Rami Khouri analyzes the recent outcomes of the Bahraini and Jordanian elections and the prospective outcome of the upcoming Egyptian parliamentary election. According to Khouri, these elections reveal three important lessons: “Ruling power elites and their foreign supporters remain hesitant to allow the full force of Arab public opinion to assert itself; they provide useful means of gauging public sentiments on important issues of the day; and, they provide a limited arena in which people learn to contest power peacefully, make deals with other groups, and appeal for the votes of their fellow citizens.”
Posted in Bahrain, Egypt, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: The “Paradox” of the Parliamentary Elections
November 17th, 2010 by Jason
Michele Dunne, who observed the recent parliamentary elections in Jordan as part of the International Republican Institute (IRI) delegation, writes “I find myself confronted with a paradox: although last week’s voting process can be characterized as credible, the elections unfolded within a broader political system that lacks credibility.” She describes officials at the “micro level” of the election as “impressively well prepared and organized,” although she did witness some small problems, including ballots not being counted at the beginning of the day to compare with total ballots cast at the end of voting. Dunne does cite the lack of an independent election commission as a major flaw in the system, and says that “while the voting and counting at each individual ballot box was open to scrutiny, the aggregation process that yielded the final results and voter turnout figures was not.” Dunne ends by asking two questions that she believes were left unanswered: “First, will the incoming assembly enjoy more credibility with the public than the one elected in 2007 […]? Second, what steps, if any, will the Jordanian government take to address festering concerns about the electoral system and the role of the parliament?”
Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Is the Parliament a “Tribal Assembly?”
November 16th, 2010 by Jason
Writing at Foreign Policy’s Middle East Channel, Curtis R. Ryan argues that last week’s elections in Jordan resulted in “loyalist on loyalist — or royalist on royalist — violence…almost invariably linked to inter and intra-tribal tensions,” resulting from the move to a “‘sawt wahid’ or ‘one voice’ system,” and the creation of “sub-districts” that pitted tribal groups against one another. Ryan also says that, due to their boycott, the opposition Islamic Action Front (IAF) “can be counted among the losers at the polls, without even having contested them.” However, Ryan believes the IAF will react in the same way they did after boycotting the elections in 1997, by contesting leadership positions in Jordan’s professional associations and “re-emerge[ing] through civil society organizations.” Many Jordanians see the parliament as a “bastion of tribal loyalists competing not for policy but for patronage,” and Ryan contends that “most Jordanians are still looking for more substantial reform.”
Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Election Assessments
November 11th, 2010 by Jason
More preliminary statements have been released on Jordan’s elections. The International Republican Institute (IRI) called the elections “an improvement on previous elections and a significant step forward for the Middle East,” while also suggesting ways to improve the system, including addressing the over-representation of rural districts. The U.S. State Department released a statement congratulating Jordan on “welcoming international observer missions for the first time.” The government-owned Jordan Times reports that the Belgian Ambassador to Jordan, Johan Indekeu, is “satisfied with the electoral process.” He added that “[t]he EU also encourages the establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission, in line with the EU-Jordan Action Plan, to oversee the free and fair running of future elections.”
Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: “Wisdom” in Boycott, Voters Show “Maturity”
November 11th, 2010 by Jason
Daoud Kuttab writes at the Huffington Post that “[m]uch work is still needed to bring about political reform and accountability, but there is no doubt that these elections have shown the political maturity of many citizens,” in Jordan. Kuttab points to the success of the boycott led by the Islamic Action Front saying that “in future years the government will be more attentive to and less dismissive of the legitimate demands of the opposition.” Those that did vote were not easily swayed by incumbency: “Of the 80 former MP who decided to run again for Parliament only one fourth made it to the Lower House […] The victory of a woman candidate without the need for quota is also credit to this political maturity.” Kuttab credits the high “educational level” of Jordanians and the media, particularly new media sources, for their roles in the political maturation of Jordan.
The Jordan Times has also published the official final results.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Election Results and NDI’s Preliminary Statement
November 10th, 2010 by Jason
The BBC is reporting that the majority of seats in Jordan’s parliament have been won by “loyalists and tribal-linked candidates likely to continue King Abdullah’s pro-Western policies.” The official turnout estimate by the government stands at 53%, but the Islamic Action Front (IAF), which boycotted the election, estimates that turnout was only 30% in the report by the BBC. At least one person was killed and 23 people arrested on election day, according to the government-owned Jordan Times. The Times also has the preliminary results available.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released a preliminary statement on the conduct of the elections, saying that yesterday’s elections were “a clear improvement over the conduct of the 2007 elections,” but that “structural shortcomings” including “widely unequal districts, lack of an independent election body and limited press freedom” still need to be addressed.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Light Turnout and Reports of Violence at the Polls
November 9th, 2010 by Evan
The New York Times’ Robert Worth reports that turnout for the Jordanian parliamentary elections was light especially in and around the capital, Amman. According to the government-owned Jordan Times, 53% of registered voters or 21% of the population voted in the election. In the southwestern city of Kerak, violence erupted when supporters of rival tribal candidates clashed, leaving one dead and six injured.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Election Day
November 9th, 2010 by Jason
Voting in Jordan’s parliamentary election has begun. Al Jazeera’s Nisreen El-Shamayleh writes that the results of today’s election are completely “predictable.” The changes to the election laws in May of this year were “clearly engineered to deprive the Islamic Action Front (IAF) of votes,” according to El-Shamayleh. She also argues that the polity in Jordan has been encouraged to “create sub-identities” that have “split Jordan into Palestinian and Bedouin areas.” Randa Habib, writing for Agence France Presse, reports that the IAF may now take “a tougher stance” towards the Jordanian government. Habib also comments on the “one-person-one vote” controversy: “Under this system, although there may be more than one seat in a constituency, voters are allowed to choose only one candidate. Before 1993, they were able to vote for all seats in their constituency.” Abigail Fielding-Smith explains the problematic way in which districts are drawn in the Financial Times, saying that the capital, Amman, has “28 seats for 2.3 million people,” whereas Ma’an, a district in the south, has “7 for 143,000,” making a vote in Ma’an “worth about four in the capital.”
The Black Iris, a blog written by Jordanian
Naseem Tarawnah, also has
live updates and links to Arabic news sources.
Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Sub-Districts and Competition Among the Elite
November 8th, 2010 by Jason
In a new article at the Middle East Channel, Andrew Barwig delves into the consequences of Jordan’s recent electoral reforms, giving the Kingdom credit for publishing voter lists, increasing participation among under-represented groups, and allowing international election observers. However, with the main opposition party Islamic Action Front (IAF) boycotting, the elections look to be a test of how powerful elites and tribal leaders manage in a changed electoral landscape. “Provisions in the new law also threaten to reignite conflicts among ruling elites. Lost amidst the recent hubbub are the sub-districts carved out of existing electoral districts, now labeled ‘electoral zones.’ These sub-districts have injected a new dynamic into electoral competition since candidates can only run in, and be elected from, one sub-district. They also narrow the scope of campaign support bases and force candidates to be more localized. As a result, the sub-districts will increase factionalism among pro-government elites and exacerbate conflict within some tribes.” Barwig concludes that the elections bear watching, even in the absence of real opposition, because “[t]he results from Tuesday’s elections will reveal the extent to which loyalists competed against each other and how certain pro-regime factions fared. In the aftermath, estranged elites could soon join the chorus of those calling for fundamental electoral reform.”
Posted in Elections, Jordan, Political Parties, Reform | Comment »
Jordan: Concerns Grows about Basic Economic Issues
November 8th, 2010 by Evan
Writing in Foreign Policy, Jillian Schwedler and Josh Sowalsky report that despite apathy about the political process, the recent tomato production crisis has sparked vibrant debate on government policies. The discourse, Schwedler and Sowalsky write, “reflect[s] both the immense distrust of government and the widening gap between Jordanians and the regime.” The BBC’s Yolande Knell adds that the lack of political alternatives has fueled popular resentment. “‘Most of the candidates you see are from certain big, rich families. We’ve seen all these names many times before. Nobody is sorting out the problems of unemployment or water shortages or Palestine,’” a Jordanian told Knell.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Voter Disinterest Threatens Election Legitimacy
November 8th, 2010 by Evan
With preparations well underway for Tuesday’s parliamentary election, concerns that low voter turnout will delegitimize the results are mounting. Only 40% of Jordanians are registered to vote and a combination of political apathy and a boycott sponsored by that the opposition Islamic Action Front (IAF) have authorities scrambling to get voters to the polls. The government urged clerics to promote voting during Friday prayers last week and companies with close ties to the government are offering incentives, including a chance to win a new car, to those who participate.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: Israel as a Campaign Issue
November 8th, 2010 by Jason
Jamal Halaby, writing for the Associated Press, explains the role that Israel and the failed peace process have had in the run-up to tomorrow’s parliamentary elections in Jordan. “Behind the anger expressed by candidates and voters lies U.S. ally Jordan’s greatest fear: that if peacemaking collapses, Israel will try to force it to take in the residents of the West Bank and stand as the Palestinian state.” According to Halaby, “[i]ssues of rising inflation, steep increases in fuel and food prices and unemployment,” have all been featured in the campaign, but “anger at Israel,” has been a primary political tool for some standing for election. “Many candidates trumpet denunciation of Israel on their campaign banners, and on the stump they call for “political resistance” to defend Jordan from the Israeli threat - avoiding any calls for violence - and for ending the peace treaty, a step King Abdullah II is highly unlikely to take.”
Posted in Elections, Israel, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: BBC’s Guide to the Election
November 5th, 2010 by Evan
The BBC recently published a new guide to the upcoming Jordanian parliamentary elections. The author writes that while the actual voting process is likely to be fair, Jordanian authorities have ensured that pro-government candidates will win by weighting the electoral system in favor of rural areas dominated by Jordanian tribes and Bedouin who are loyal to King Abdullah.
Posted in Elections, Jordan, Muslim Brotherhood | Comment »
Jordan: Quiet Repression Breeds Disinterest in Politics
November 4th, 2010 by Evan
A new article in The Economist describes how the government’s manipulation of the upcoming parliamentary election has engendered population-wide political apathy in Jordan. Despite lofty rhetoric, King Abdullah has failed to make meaningful reforms. The regime has rigged the elections in its favor using a complicated districting scheme that empowers allies and weakens opponents. Even if opposition groups were able to make gains, the lower house of parliament has little influence on Jordanian politics, the author writes.
Posted in Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: IRI Publishes Election Guide, Announces Monitoring Delegation
November 2nd, 2010 by Evan
The International Republican Institute recently
published a guide to the November 9 Jordanian parliamentary election. According to the author, “The November 9 elections represent an opportunity to show Jordan is committed to administering open and transparent elections. If this is the case, the new parliament will begin its work with a stronger mandate and the potential to further democratic reforms.” IRI also recently
announced the members of its election monitoring delegation.
Lorne Craner, President of IRI, will lead a team of international experts including
Michele Dunne from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
Dr. Wajeeha Sadiq Al Baharna, President of the Bahrain Women’s Society, and
Hassan Habib Mohamed El Shamy Deputy Director of the Parliamentary Election Monitoring Project at the Ibn Khaldun Center in Egypt, among others. The
National Democratic Institute will also be fielding a team that includes
Andrés Pastrana Arango, the former president of Colombia,
Paul Dewar, member of parliament from Canada
, Sam Gejdenson, former member of the U.S. Congress,
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and
Leslie Campbell, NDI regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. This will be the first time that Jordan has welcomed international election observers.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Elections, Jordan | Comment »
Jordan: MCC Funds New Water Program
November 1st, 2010 by Evan
Last week, the U.S. awarded Jordan a $275 million grant to improve water access in the northeastern region of Zarqa through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). During the signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “Americans understand that a strong and prosperous Jordan is good for the region and good for the world. We want to work with you to realize our shared aspirations and shape the future together.” Originally created in 2004, the MCC funds development projects in countries that meet rule of law and democracy performance criteria. Jordan’s participation in the MCC program remains controversial. The country has failed to meet the political rights and civil liberties criteria in recent years.
Posted in Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Jordan | Comment »
Are Elections in Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt Meaningless?
October 27th, 2010 by Jason
Writing at Foreign Policy’s Middle East Channel, Shadi Hamid puts the recent election in Bahrain and the upcoming elections in Jordan and Egypt into context: “Saturday’s elections in Bahrain instead reflected a new and troubling trend in the Arab world: the free but unfair — and rather meaningless — election.” While opposition groups were able to adapt and take advantage of the “Arab spring” of 2005, the regions authoritarians were not far behind in creating a “democratic facade” to present to the international community. Hamid says that “[s]ome might consider this a workable compromise: Arabs get to vote and let out some steam. Friendly Arab regimes get to maintain their grip on power.” This arrangement is not viable in the long term, Hamid contends, because young people are becoming restless with the political theater. “If free but meaningless elections become the new norm, the Arab opposition may be forced to adopt a more impatient and confrontational approach, one that emphasizes civil disobedience, mass protest, and other ‘de-legitimization’ techniques.”
Posted in Bahrain, Civil Society, Egypt, Elections, Freedom, Jordan, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Jordan: An Interview With Jordan’s First Woman M.P.
October 27th, 2010 by Jason
Toujan Faisal, the first woman elected to Jordan’s Parliament, was recently interviewed by the Arab Reform Initiative. When asked about her understanding of reform, Faisal answered, “I think that the adoption of the constitution in Jordan in 1952 (i.e. without the amendments subsequently made to it) is the basis of such reform.” She added, “I now think that there is something better: the proportional representation list, and the establishment of an interim government without the power to take major financial decisions, until such time a government with real legitimacy can be formed in the presence of a real parliament.” Faisal was also asked about her views on quotas for female candidates. “I am opposed to all forms of quota, because quotas are in conflict with full equality between citizens […] Women are essentially citizens, and the sole criterion for progress is competence. When society as a whole progresses the situation of women automatically improves.”
Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Jordan, Reform, Women | Comment »
Jordan: HRW Criticizes Limits on Freedom of Expression
October 22nd, 2010 by Evan
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
called on Jordanian authorities to respect its citizens’ rights to free expression in the run up to the November 9 parliamentary election. In response to a recent crackdown on youth activists campaigning for an opposition boycott and censorship of news about the prime minister,
Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at HRW, said “Jordanian authorities are trying to delegitimize the opposition, but instead they are delegitimizing the elections. […] These recent incidents of censorship and arrests of critics cast doubt on the open contest of ideas necessary for the ‘transparent and fair’ elections King Abudullah promised.”
Posted in Elections, Jordan, Muslim Brotherhood | Comment »
