Jordanians are voting to elect members of the House of Representatives in elections where the dominance of tribal candidates and center-oriented members is expected to continue. The elections are being held under a new law enacted in January 2022, which increased the number of seats in the House of Representatives from 130 to 138, with 41 seats allocated to party lists. Thirty-eight parties, including the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan and the largest opposition party, will compete for these party seats.
In 2022, the government approved a new election law that it described as a milestone in a gradual democratic transformation, paving the way for political parties to play a greater role. However, the new law retained an electoral system that heavily favors tribal areas and regions with low population densities at the expense of densely populated cities where Jordanians of Palestinian origin form the demographic majority and are key centers of Islamist influence and political interest. For the first time, the new law directly allocates 41 seats to over 30 licensed parties, most of which are government supporters. The law also increased the quota for women from 15 to 18 seats and lowered the minimum age for eligible candidates and voters from 30 to 25 years. This direct allocation of seats may mitigate the traditional power of tribes, which has stunted the emergence of political parties and limited Islamist influence.
Among Jordan’s 11 million residents, there are 5.1 million registered voters over the age of 18. In the elections, 1,623 candidates, including 353 women, are competing for seats in 18 electoral districts. Jordan allocates ten seats for minorities, including Christians and other ethnic minorities. Officials hope for higher participation compared to previous elections, which saw limited gains for independent and Islamist candidates, leaving the council predominantly in the hands of tribal and center-oriented members and government supporters.
Concerns are rising about increased voter apathy, given the disappointing performance of the council in many previous sessions. However, citizens remain hopeful that this year’s elections will produce a council capable of addressing some of their aspirations. They are not asking for more than members to perform their constitutionally mandated tasks, particularly oversight and legislation, efficiently and effectively, rather than resorting to grandiose speeches or merely criticizing or praising the executive authority. This paper aims to explore the trajectory of parliamentary elections amid ongoing changes to the electoral law, the main factors influencing voter preferences, and the issues that concern them, hoping to find real solutions beyond the promises that they have become weary of.
Several issues occupy Jordanians’ minds, with a focus from candidates and parties. Among the most discussed and challenging issues facing the country and society is the economy. Jordan faces significant economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, particularly among youth, which puts considerable pressure on the economy and government efforts to create new job opportunities. The Jordanian economy also suffers from a high public debt-to-GDP ratio. Inflation and rising living costs are major problems, as citizens face increased living expenses, reducing purchasing power and putting additional pressure on low-income families, leading to the continued erosion of the middle class.
Candidates’ positions on regional and international issues, notably the Palestinian cause, cannot be ignored, making it a prominent feature in the programs of most, if not all, candidates and parties. Nevertheless, election programs, including promises of services, employment, or other matters, are often not decisive factors in determining voter preferences, especially due to a real crisis of trust in the offered programs, either because they are impractical or unrealistic. It can be said that the program of some parties, particularly the largest one, the Islamic Action Front, attracts Jordanians and plays a role in voters’ choices, especially in cities, while also gaining support in villages, rural areas, and the desert.
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