Purpose of decentralisation ‘unclear’ to many citizens

AMMAN — As Jordan held its first governorate and municipal council elections on Tuesday, many eligible voters showed a lack of interest in participating and little knowledge about the concept itself.

Eligible voters interviewed by The Jordan Times on Tuesday either questioned the importance of taking part in the elections or said they did not understand the new decentralisation process.

Manar Hassoun, a social worker for an international NGO, said that she did not planto cast her ballot in the elections.

“To be honest, I barely participate in parliamentary elections, which are usually wider and have stronger movement and competition. Today, I am not voting and I wasn’t even planning to from the beginning,” Hassouneh said.

For Mohammad Rashdan, a 20-year-old college student, participating in the local elections was not part of his schedule.

“Painting my room is what I’m going to do today. None of my family or friends are voting today; I don’t even know what the elections are about.” 

In a hypermarket on Wasfi Attal Street (Gardens street), Abu Sami, a father of five, was grocery shopping with his family. 

Noting that he does not understand the “new elections system”, Abu Sami said he did not plan to vote today. 

“No, I’m not voting today,” Abu Sami said. 

Along with her husband, Um Sami was not planning to vote either.”In parliamentary elections, I always vote, because I usually know someone running for the elections and I believe that they can do something. This time, I really don’t know any candidate, so how would I vote for someone I never heard of or knew about in terms of  his or her future plans?” she said.

In a bakery nearby, Lara Harbawi was buying pastries.

“Today I’m not doing anything besides  enjoying the day. I’m on my way to the pool with my two kids,” she told The Jordan Times.