Electoral Commission Chief receives US Congressional team

Amman: Independent Election Commission (IEC) Board of Commissioners Chairman, Musa Maaytah, Monday briefed visiting assistants to members of the US Congress on preparations for parliamentary elections due to be held on September 10. Maaytah reviewed the achievements of the IEC since its establishment in 2011, part of constitutional amendments, as well as preparations for holding the polls to choose the 20th Lower House of Parliament, which will be held under a new election law. The outcomes of the Royal Committee for Modernizing the Political System and recent constitutional amendments, he said, are in line with His Majesty the King's and the Jordanian state's vision to develop political life and enhance reform, and these have opened the way for political parties' presence in the next House, leading to majority parliamentary governments. Among key amendments to the election and political party laws, Maaytah pointed out, is raising women's seats (quota) in local lists from 15 to 18, in addition to a general list of 41 seats allocated to parties in the 138-member House, which will reach 65 in the 22nd legislature, he said. Maaytah said constitutional amendments granted the electoral commission the powers to manage political parties' affairs and financing, adding that the passage of the system regulating parties in higher education institutions positively impacted youth participation and on-campus practice of party work and the electoral process. He pointed to the IEC's efforts to enhance political participation, adding that a special unit was set up, tasked with empowering women and integrating them into political life. Source: Jordan News Agency