PM hails ‘successful’ conduct of election amid virus crisis

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Wednesday stressed that Jordan has “succeeded in implementing the Constitutional entitlement by holding the parliamentary elections in an efficient manner and under an exceptional circumstance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

“Everyone worked with one responsible nationalistic spirit to implement this important entitlement, which will further enforce the democratic experience and the parliamentary elections is one of these entitlements under the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah,” the premier said during a Cabinet meeting.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said on Tuesday that the number of voters, who cast their ballots, stands at 1,386,749, representing 29.9 per cent of around 4.6 million eligible voters.

The number of registered candidates stood at 1,674, including 360 women.  

Khasawneh stressed during the meeting that the government is keen to work with the 19th Lower House of Parliament through a framework of partnership and cooperation and through constitutional and legal frameworks, in a manner that would ensure “the common good and serve the nation and citizens”.

The prime minister also praised the efforts of the IEC, which managed and supervised the entire electoral process “with great efficiency and responsibility despite the exceptional circumstances imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Khasawneh also praised the “professional and efficient efforts” exerted by all the government entities as well as the Ministry of Interior and the Public Security Directorate to ensure a successful and transparent election.

Also during the Cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Tawfiq Halalmeh briefed the government about the security plans and procedures that were adopted by the ministry, the PSD and the administrative governors in various parts of the government to ensure a smooth election process, Petra reported.

Halalmeh pointed to some breaches and violations that occurred during and after the elections, adding that the security forces had “immediately dealt with them”.

“We will deal with any breach or violation in the strictest manner and the law will be enforced on everyone,” the interior minister stressed.   

Elections to the 19th Parliament were held following a Royal decree in July, directing the concerned authorities to hold parliamentary elections in accordance with the provisions of law. The Kingdom is divided into 23 constituencies.

Meanwhile, the Public Security Directorate (PSD) issued several statements on Wednesday following dozens of reported breaches related to the lockdown.

Dozens of videos and images were circulated via social media purportedly showing thousands of people celebrating the win of their candidates, while others firing live ammunition and some driving in their vehicles to celebrate the election results.

“The PSD said they are following up on the videos and images that were circulating on social media and we have made several arrests,” Police Spokesperson Maj. Amer Sartawi said.

The police official added that special task forces are following up on the dozens of vehicles that appeared in the videos in breach of the defence orders.

“We are also following on the individuals who appeared in several videos firing live ammunition,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times. 

Sartawi said that the PSD also controlled “minor riots” in the Shafa Badran neighbourhood in Amman on Wednesday.

“Several people were arrested, and we were able to control the situation. Everything is back to normal,” Sartawi added.

The police official stressed that the PSD “will not tolerate any violations and will take the strictest procedures against them”.

The PSD announced that they arrested some of the winning candidates who “were the reason behind the gatherings and celebrations,” according to Sartawi.

“All proper legal action will be taken against them and we will deal with a strict manner with all kinds of violations and use the proper force to enforce the lockdown,” the police official stressed.