Upcoming parliamentary polls to see half million first-time voters — Maaytah

AMMAN — About half a million young citizens will be voting for the first time in the upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for November 10, in addition to nearly 1.5 million young men and women under the age of 30 who are eligible to vote, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said on Sunday.

The minister's remarks came during a virtual dialogue session attended by a number of young people from Irbid Governorate, which came as part of the "Enhancing youth participation in 2020 parliamentary elections" programme within the "Your Vote, Your Future" campaign, implemented in partnership with UNDP and UN Women. 

The campaign’s motto has been developed to address young people and motivate them to participate in the electoral process, Maaytah said.

The minister said that His Majesty King Abdullah has emphasised the importance of taking all measures and precautions to safeguard public health and wellbeing during the upcoming electoral process, through the measures and instructions set by the Independent Election Commission.

He highlighted the ministry's efforts towards encouraging youth participation by modifying the financial contribution system of the political parties.

A political party gets 20 per cent of the funding if women are on its lists and 20 per cent if there are young people between the ages of 30 and 35.

“Only through an organised collective action, notably youth joining parties, a real representation of young people will happen,” the minister said.