Commission reviews preparations for possible 2020 elections

AMMAN — Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission of Jordan Khaled Kalaldeh on Tuesday said that the commission has taken "all necessary precautions and preventive measures" to guarantee the safety of citizens in the case that parliamentary elections are held in 2020.

During a remote meeting held by the commission with the local regulatory authorities concerned with the electoral process, Kalaldeh affirmed that "the sole decision-maker regarding conducting the parliamentary elections is His Majesty King Abdullah", the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He added that the timing of the elections is set according to the law and the Constitution. 

Kalaldeh highlighted the importance of the commission's communication with local regulatory bodies "given their role in the success of the electoral process in all its stages", as they are partners in the electoral process and "one of the most important guarantees of its integrity".

The commission has provided training materials that will be available to organisations, coalitions and regulatory bodies for use in monitoring the electoral process, he said.

Kalaldeh reviewed the most significant achievements of the commission in its preparations for holding elections in accordance with health and safety requirements against the COVID-19 pandemic, including the transfer of electronic materials for voting, polling and counting committees to be made remotely.

The preparations also include digitising educational materials and creating a training manual for journalists and media personnel.

His Majesty had said in February that Jordan is approaching the constitutional process of holding the parliamentary elections this summer, stressing the importance of encouraging all citizens, especially young Jordanians, to participate in the political process.

The King's remarks came at a meeting with the heads of the executive and legislative authorities, the vice president of the Judicial Council and chief commissioner of the Independent Election Commission, as part of regular meetings to discuss domestic and regional concerns, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting, His Majesty underscored that partnership between the government and Parliament is key to working on important legislation, noting the importance of the ongoing development of the judiciary, the statement said.

Meeting attendees confirmed the readiness of state institutions to proceed with holding parliamentary elections and to coordinate efforts among the various agencies involved, according to the statement.