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Analysts reflect on low voter turnout in Amman’s 3rd District

‘Constituency is home to educated elite who are vocal online’

By Sawsan Tabazah - Sep 21,2016 - Last updated at Sep 21,2016

An empty campaign headquarters for candidates who ran in Amman’s 3rd District is seen on Wednesday (Photo by Osama Aqarbeh)

AMMAN — Analysts on Wednesday reflected on the low voter turnout in Amman’s 3rd District, an area with a high ratio of educated and politically aware residents. 

The district had the lowest voter turnout in Jordan in Tuesday’s Lower House Elections, Independent Election Commission Chief Commissioner Khaled Kaladeh said at a press conference as polls closed. 

Omar Razzaz, chairman of the Jordan Strategy Forum, suggested that the high political awareness among residents of the districts contributed to the low participation, as voters were not influenced by candidates seeking to buy votes. 

“Black money played a role in other districts,” Razzaz noted.

Candidates with political programmes were able to win over voters, while “service deputies” who offer favours in return for votes, or promise wasta (using personal connections to obtain favours for friends and relatives) failed to bring voters out. 

“What people are looking for are not candidates who offer wasta” Razzaz said.

Meanwhile, young residents of the 3rd District were more likely to have voted than the “couch potatoes” of the older generation, he said.  

“Couch potatoes are those who are eligible to vote; they complain; they come up with solutions without leaving their couches to participate,” Razzaz explained. “The young generation is more willing to participate.” 

Batir Wardam, a political activist and analyst, said Amman’s 3rd District is populated by “educated elites” who are vocal online, criticising everything in the country.

It will be their own fault if they are represented by the Muslim Brotherhood in Parliament, he said, urging them not to “shift the blame” if they are disappointed with their elected representatives. 

 

Meanwhile, journalist Eyad Jaghbeer took to Facebook to suggest amending the Elections Law to reduce the number of seats in areas of Amman with turnout lower than a certain percentage. 

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