Gov't to execute plan to implement Royal Committee's recommendations — Maaytah

AMMAN — Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah on Tuesday met with a number of representatives of study centres and local civil institutions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting comes as part of a series of meetings conducted by the government with media professionals, representatives of civil institutions and entities concerned with youth and women's affairs to discuss the recommendations of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System.

During the meeting, Maaytah stressed that the government followed Royal directives to refer the recommendations of the committee to the Lower House, adding that the ministry’s legal committee is currently discussing them to be sent on November 15.

During the upcoming period, the government will finalise an executive plan aimed at implementing recommendations related to the empowerment of women and youth, the development of the legislative system of local administration as well as amendments to the electoral and political party laws, he said. 

The plan will outline the tasks and duties of the concerned ministries and institutions, in partnership with civil institutions, in a way that contributes to enhancing participation in political life and encouraging partisan programmatic work, especially for women and youth.

During his speech, he reviewed the draft laws on elections and political parties and their constitutional amendments, including reducing the age of candidacy from 30 to 25 years, ensuring real representation of women and youth in political parties wishing to run for elections, and providing youth with the opportunity to engage in parties and create a suitable environment for partisan work.

Highlighting the role of civil institutions in raising awareness and educating young people through programmes distributed in all governorates, he stressed the need to change the prevailing stereotype about engaging in partisan work, respecting intellectual diversity within society and accepting different opinions. 

A number of representatives praised the committee’s recommendations, voicing their keenness to cooperate with the government in implementing them.