Amman residents express mixed feelings over Tuesday vote

AMMAN — Several residents of Amman on Sunday expressed various motivations for casting their ballots in Tuesday’s parliamentary elections, while others said they were not interested in voting.   

In video interviews with The Jordan Times, voters had different views on issues the next Lower House should address. 

Rajab Shehadeh, a public sector retiree, said he would vote to elect one of his relatives. 

Regarding what he wants from MPs in the 18th Lower House, Shehadeh said improving the living conditions of pensioners and enhancing infrastructure in Amman should be top priorities for lawmakers. 

Mohammad Abu Halawah, 18, will be voting for the first time in his life. 

“I’m going to vote for candidates who pledge to fix the education system in the country,” he said. 

Another resident of the capital who said he was going to participate in the elections was Abu Mohammad, an owner of a small eatery in Jabal Al Hussein. 

He said voting is a national duty. 

“What do I want from MPs? I want them to improve the living conditions of the people,” he said.

Asked about the type of candidates who deserve his vote, he said that there were many who offered decent programmes to address major issues in the Kingdom, adding that he had already chosen the list he would support. 

Abdullah Abdallat, a university student, said he had not decided whom to vote for yet, but noted that he would support candidates with the vision to improve the education system and those who support youth and sports issues.

Several female students outside the University of Jordan seemed less interested in the elections. 

Najlaa said she may not go to polls on Tuesday as she is not familiar with the candidates. 

“I’m not interested at all because I would not vote for them just because of their photos hanging on the streets,” she said. 

Her friend Rana said she believes giving a vote to a candidate is a big responsibility she wants to honour, but that she was not going to vote because none of the candidates deserves such an honour. 

Meanwhile, Alaa said she wants MPs to fight corruption, favouritism and wasta (using personal connections to obtain favours for friends and relatives). 

“These are the most important issues, I believe,” she added.