House refers draft constitutional amendments to Legal Committee

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday referred two constitutional amendments drafted by the government to its Legal Committee for further deliberations before it can endorse them.

Under the proposed changes, the government seeks to expand the jurisdiction of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) to administer municipal polls and any other elections assigned by the government.

Under the second amendment, the government seeks to give the King the sole authority to appoint the army chief and the director of the General Intelligence Department (GID).

The King currently appoints the chairman of the army’s Joint Chiefs-of-Staff and the GID director upon a recommendation from the government.

During the Lower House’s Tuesday meeting, the first in Parliament’s second extraordinary session, several MPs requested to give these amendments urgency status.

However, other deputies expressed their disapproval of the amendments and the speed in which such crucial changes to the Constitution are introduced and processed.

They warned of potential “threats to the country’s political system”, arguing that such changes must be based on thorough studies and research before being endorsed to ensure that they do not leave a negative impact on the regime.

More than 85 out of the House’s 150 MPs attended the meeting as the legislature deliberated the proposed changes.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour told MPs that these amendments are meant to pave the way for the nation to proceed with its political reform agenda.

“As we are approaching the adoption of a parliamentary government system in Jordan, it becomes inevitable to ensure that the army and security agencies are far from any political bickering,” Ensour said.

Giving the King the sole authority to appoint the army and intelligence chiefs will protect the military and the GID from any competition between political parties when they form governments, the premier said.

He stressed that the two positions will remain under government supervision, noting that the amendments do not mean that the army and the GID are going to be beyond the government’s jurisdiction.

“These amendments do not deprive the prime minister of his right to question the army chief or the director of the intelligence department. They will remain under his supervision even after these amendments are endorsed,” Ensour said.

The amendment related to the IEC’s role will ensure that it manages and supervises parliamentary and municipal elections without any government intervention, a matter that would make the commission a “beacon of democracy enjoying everyone’s respect”, the premier said.

Following his remarks, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh adjourned the meeting.