Municipal elections a key reform milestone in Jordan

Upcoming municipal elections are a key milestone on the path to political reforms as development of any municipality is inextricably tied to participation by all social groups as they elect local councils based on merit and experience, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and also Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs, Mohammad Moumani, said. Speaking just two weeks before the polls, Moumani urged civil society institutions, political parties, youth and women leaders and citizens as a whole to turn the election day into a "key juncture" to promote local governance and send a message that Jordan is capable of holding elections, the second in the Kingdom this year after landmark parliamentary polls in January. "Municipal elections are the key arena to bolster political participation in the democratic process and to involve the citizens in electing local leaders capable of spearheading the municipal work," he said. Moumani said the democratic culture is "a strategic choice" that the Jordanian state has opted for. "It is a lifestyle rooted well in comprehensive development work which makes it incumbent upon the citizens to participate to improve municipal work," he added. The minister commended the "electoral efforts being witnessed in the country's various regions, which is a reaffirmation that Jordanians will not relinquish the democratic choice, a fact becoming stronger by the day." He called upon the candidates to contest on a level playing field and to put at the forefront the aim to serve the country and society and improve municipal work. He noted the government's efforts to facilitate voting to "turn these elections into a model in transparency, fairness and equal opportunity" and ensuring that the exercise is overseen by the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) and monitored by local and international organisations.