Senate returns draft political parties' law to Lower House

AMMAN — The Senate on Tuesday returned the draft political parties’ law to the Lower House after amending articles 10, 31 and 40 of the bill.

During an Upper House session, senators rejected the deputies' decision to reduce the percentage of youth and women in parties to 10 per cent and maintained the 20 per cent mentioned in the government's version of the bill, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Senators also refused the MPs' decision to extend the period granted to political parties to rectify their status to 18 months, instead of the 12-month period as suggested by the government. 

The bill, as approved by senators, stipulates that political parties established before the enforcement of the law should rectify their status within one year, and hold a conference that meets the conditions of a founding conference; otherwise, the party is considered dissolved.

Also, the draft law stipulates that the party should have at least 1,000 members, representing at least six governorates by 30 members from each governorate, and the percentage of youth and women should be 20 per cent, with at least one person of the founding members should be a person with disabilities.

Meanwhile, the Upper House approved a Lower House decision to approve the draft law of Integrity and Anti-Corruption as amended by the Senate.

At the beginning of the session, Upper House Secretary General Ali Zyoud recited the Royal Decree appointing Khalid Bakkar as senator as of February 28, before the new senator was sworn in before the Chamber.