By-election to fill vacant House seat slated for Dec. 19

AMMAN — The Independent Elections Commission (IEC) will conduct a by-election on December 19 to fill the Lower House seat left vacant by the death of MP Eteiwi Majali (Karak 2nd District).

Following Majali’s death on October 24, the House informed the government and the IEC to carry out a by-election in the district in accordance with Article 88 of the Constitution.

The article states that when a seat becomes available in the Senate or Lower House as the result of death, resignation or any other reason, it must be filled by an appointment in the case of a senator; if a deputy position is vacant, the IEC must hold a by-election within two months of the date on which the government is notified about the vacancy by the House. 

The new member holds the position for the remainder of his/her predecessor’s term.

IEC President Riyadh Shakaa told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Wednesday that 10 candidates will run in the by-election, amidst speculation that Majali’s brother, Sameh, is the strongest contender.

Three other members of the current Lower House have died: Mohammad Khasawneh (Irbid, 2nd District), Mohammad Mahseiri (Amman, 2nd District) and Mahmoud Hweimel (Karak, 4th District).

A fifth seat was left vacant when deputy Talal Sharif (Amman, 1st District) was expelled from the House after attempting to shoot his colleague MP Qusai Dmeisi (Zarqa, 4th District) in 2013.

MP Nayef Leimoun (Karak, 6th District) lost his seat after the Lower House received a court decision voiding the district’s election; Leimoun was re-elected by default in April 2013.

During the 16th Parliament (2010-2012) two by-elections were conducted to fill the Amman 1st District seat and Karak’s 5th District seat, which were left vacant by MP Rashed Odeh Barayseh and Deputy Sharif Rawashdeh, respectively. 

Barayseh passed away, while the IEC cancelled Rawashdeh’s membership because he held dual citizenship, which violated Article 75 of the Constitution. According to the amended article, deputies, senators, ministers, and senior officials cannot hold dual nationality.