Jerash voters head to campaign headquarters over Eid

JERASH — Electoral campaign headquarters in Jerash witnessed a high turnout over Eid Al Adha, although some voters expressed little hope that Tuesday’s vote would bring change. 

Some 108,193 people are eligible to vote in Jerash, around 45km north of Amman, including 59,920 women and 48,273 men.

Forty candidates, including eight women, are running on nine lists in the governorate, which has one electoral district, 

Most candidates in Jerash rely on their social influence through their tribes, or on personal connections, according to resident Adel Nizami. 

“Few candidates have provided programmes that explain their prospective activities in the Lower House, and most voters seek personal benefits from the candidates rather than looking at their programmes or their focus on the general national issues,” he said.

This election is more complicated than previous polls, as candidates must run on lists, making it difficult to predict which candidates are likely to win.

Under the Elections Law, each eligible voter can only pick one list, and has then to name the candidates he/she has chosen from the ticket. 

Um Mohammad Sebranee, a Jerash resident, said that if she votes she will choose the most competent candidate who has the legal and economic knowledge to follow up on the government’s decisions. 

“I would vote for those who seek national interests, not personal favours, and who are available in the governorate to address their people’s needs, not those who relocate to Amman after winning,” she argued. 

As for the issues that the prospective deputies should address, residents focused on improving services, fighting unemployment and poverty and reaching gender justice and equality.

Yousef Otoum, a university student, said that he had chosen a candidate to vote for, based on her clear electoral programme that includes improving education in Jerash and fighting unemployment to secure a decent future for young people.  

Khaled Raymoni, also a university student, said he had visited many candidates at their headquarters and finally selected one because he was convinced by the candidate’s programme and focus on public transport. 

Raymoni noted that transport was an important issue for him, as he struggles every day to reach Amman on inefficient public buses. 

Some candidates roamed Jerash, house-by-house, visiting members of their tribes and pledging support and “jobs” to supporters if they win the elections.

Others preferred to be available at their electoral headquarters to receive voters and get them acquainted with their programmes.