By Taylor Luck

AMMAN - Citizens across the Kingdom can learn more about their elected representatives from a book released this earlier week.

Titled, “Who’s Who in the Jordanian Parliament”, and released by Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Centre (UJRC), the guide provides an overview of current members of the Lower House, who assumed their posts in November 2007, as well as the Senate.

The five-chapter book, available both in English and Arabic, gives a brief history and overview of the political system in the Kingdom and provides a chronological overview of major events that shaped the course of parliamentary life in Jordan, from 2001 to the present.

The guide, authored by UJRC Director General Hani Hourani and Deputy Director May Al Taher, also provides a resumé and a biography of each member of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

“Many people do not participate in elections, do not follow up on who the candidates are, or the background of their MPs,” Taher told The Jordan Times in a phone interview yesterday, noting that the guide aims to boost awareness on the Kingdom’s political sphere.

“People need to learn more about their representatives, policy makers and lawmakers and their plans for the country,” she said, adding that the book includes a listing of parliamentary bylaws and regulations.

In addition, the book covers parliamentary events since 2001, including a chronology of laws passed, ministerial meetings, Royal directives and the conclusion and beginning of each parliamentary term, she said.

“Who’s Who in the Jordanian Parliament” also includes statistics on voter turnout per district, the number of votes garnered by each MP, voter registration and the women’s quota, in addition to other aspects of the 2007 parliamentary election, according to the centre.

The guide lists the proportion of voters per district, Taher said, noting that some districts with fewer residents are represented more than densely populated districts.

Detailed information on the membership of various parliamentary blocs and specialised committees in both Houses of Parliament are also listed in the guide, which covers the first and second ordinary sessions of the 15th Parliament.

An electronic version of the current edition of the book is available on CD and online at www.ujrc-jordan.org. Those interested in receiving a hard copy in English or Arabic can visit the centre’s office on Mecca Street by Dahayat Al Hussein.

Previous copies of “Who’s Who in Parliament” guides, which were issued for the 1993, 1997 and 2003 parliaments, are also available in both languages, according to the centre.