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Another milestone

Aug 14,2017 - Last updated at Aug 14,2017

Today marks a milestone in Jordan's decentralisation and democratisation process, with voters heading to the polls in governorate and municipal council elections in what Independent Election Commission President Khaled Kalaldeh described as the "biggest logistic operation in the history of Jordan to be carried out by the civil sector".

Voters will elect mayors and members of the  municipal councils, as well as members of the new governorate councils.

This is going to be a mammoth democratic exercise that is expected to be covered by 1,560 journalists and around 2,548 observers.

The local, municipal and governorate council elections are being conducted to implement the decentralisation policy with the aim of enabling local communities to have a say on their development priorities and needs.

Many people feel that the national representatives whom they elect in parliamentary elections are too much removed from their day-to-day woes and they want nothing less than having representatives at the closest local elections possible.

IEC confirmed that there will be no fewer than 1,440 voting centres and 5,000 polling stations. It is not going to be an easy electoral process as the numbers of the coveted posts are numerous and are sought by many candidates.

Voters are expected to elect their representatives on the basis of issues that matter most to them, including local and regional concerns.

Bread and butter issues are expected to dominate the minds of voters, as dire economic conditions prevail. Regional and local economic projects would therefore be most prominent on the minds of the people.

Generating employment and combating poverty are the issues that voters would be interested in the most. Better schooling and improved health facilities are also urgent. So is access to affordable housing, clean water and electricity. Road maintenance and infrastructure projects are also key issues.

 

The success of the local elections would be a shot in the arm for the country's democratisation process, as the Kingdom marches confidently towards further public engagement in decision-making. 

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