EU election report commends Kingdom’s progress, suggests 18 reforms

AMMAN — The European Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Jordan released its final report on Tuesday regarding the 2024 parliamentary elections, offering 18 recommendations to advance Jordan’s electoral reforms and political modernisation efforts.

Chief Observer and Vice-President of the European Parliament Željana Zovko commended the Independent Election Commission (IEC) for its professional and efficient management of the elections. “The elections were conducted efficiently, with an inclusive and well-managed process for voter and candidate registration. Most candidates expressed confidence in the impartiality of the IEC. However, transparency could be further enhanced by granting candidates and list representatives access to the vote tabulation process,” she said.

She also emphasised significant legislative reforms, including lowering the minimum candidate age from 30 to 25, and praised the expanded gender quota as a positive step toward achieving greater representation.

The report also noted that women still face obstacles to political participation, including financial barriers such as registration fees and campaign expenses.

The report highlighted the active participation of diverse candidates and lists, with freedom of assembly largely upheld during the five-week campaign period. 

It also commended Jordan’s successful integration of new election technologies, which enabled swift result publication. 

The report also recommended clearer regulations regarding campaigning on election day, particularly on media and social media platforms.

To build on these achievements, the EU EOM presented 18 forward-looking recommendations, with seven key priorities aimed at further strengthening Jordan’s electoral processes. 

These include enhancing voter education through community engagement and the active involvement of District Election Committees, ensuring consistent enforcement of campaign regulations, and increasing transparency in campaign financing while bolstering IEC oversight. 

Zovko expressed optimism about Jordan’s ongoing progress, emphasising the importance of inclusivity, transparency, and freedom of expression in strengthening democratic processes. 

She also reiterated the European Union’s commitment to supporting stakeholders in implementing the recommendations.

The EU EOM mission, conducted at the invitation of the IEC, was carried out from July 28 to September 29, 2024. 

Over 120 observers from EU Member States, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland were deployed across Jordan, reflecting the EU’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships and supporting democratic development.