Voters in Jordan are set to hit the polls in a parliamentary election overshadowed by a surge in coronavirus numbers. The latest increase has crippled the country’s economy as it heads into another round of lockdown.
Health Precautions
Giving the electoral body the go-ahead, members of the voting community who have tested positive for coronavirus were warned against participating in the elections. The repercussion for defiance being up to a year in prison. On the eve of polling day, the Kingdom had confirmed around 115,000 infections and 1,295 deaths.
More than 50,000 security force personnel are on hand to ensure masks were worn inside polling stations and social distancing is maintained.
The Elections And Limited Parliamentary Functions
Although the parliament in Jordan wields little to no power thanks, in part, to the dominance of the King who has wide powers to rule by decree, the elections this year will see the largest opposition faction, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), field candidates in some seats despite a ban placed on its parent organization.
Prior to these polls, IAF won 16 seats in the 130-seat parliament in 2016 but boycotted polls in 2010 and 2013.
Shaky Economy
Resource-poor and dependent on foreign aid, Jordan has built up a public debt that exceeds 100 per cent of GDP with an unemployment rate of 23 per cent in the first quarter, before the pandemic had even fully hit.
Impending Lockdown
Following the close of polls today, the Kingdom will enter a nationwide lockdown starting at 9 pm for institutions and 10 pm for public movement until 6 am, Sunday, November 15.
Not to impede the electoral process, the decision excludes parliamentary candidates, list representatives at polling stations and counting centres, as well as heads and members of the election committees, local and international observers, media representatives, and journalists accredited by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) until the commission announces the final results and sends them to the Official Gazette.
Some 4.5 million Jordanians are eligible to vote. Polls close at 7 pm, with results expected in the coming days.
