Royal Decree gives go-ahead for parliamentary polls

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Wednesday directing concerned agencies to hold parliamentary elections in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The Decree reads: "We, Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in accordance with Paragraph I of Article 34 of the Constitution, we order the conduction of the Lower House elections in the manner stipulated in the law", according to a Royal Court statement.

Paragraph I of Article 34 stipulates that: "The King issues orders for the holding of elections to the House of Deputies in accordance with the provisions of the law."

A Royal Decree was issued on May 29 dissolving the Lower House of Parliament as of the same day. Elections should be held for a new House within four months.

An official at the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) has previously stated that the election day would be decided within 10 days after the Royal Decree giving the go-ahead to conduct the polls. 

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with the IEC’s board of commissioners and stressed the importance of facilitating the commission's role of setting the stage for the upcoming elections.

During the meeting, His Majesty underlined the IEC's mandate in cooperation with the other concerned bodies to promote and encourage public participation in the election process.

The King called for enhancing cooperation between the IEC and the country's institutions to achieve the desired results and contribute to simplifying election-related bureaucratic procedures, heeding the needs of old people and people with disabilities.

The Monarch urged the oversight body to carry out awareness campaigns to educate the public on the Election Law and the voting procedures, and eventually ensure the success of the process, applying the best practices in the field internationally.