Jordan Daily – International election observation missions are crucial for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and boosting confidence at both local and international levels, according to Musa Maaytah,Chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) .
His remarks came during a meeting on Monday with Ms Željana Zovko , chief observer of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission.
Maaytah emphasized the vital role of international observers in enhancing transparency in elections. He noted that these observers provide impartial oversight of electoral procedures, contributing to the credibility of the process. The reports issued by these missions, Maaytah added, are valuable tools for election authorities to identify and address weaknesses, leading to continuous improvement and the development of the democratic process over time.
He also highlighted key amendments to the election and political parties’ laws, noting an increase in the number of seats allocated to women under the local quota system from 15 to 18. Additionally, 41 out of 138 seats in the national list will be reserved for political parties, accounting for 30% of the seats in the upcoming 20th House of Representatives. This percentage is set to rise to 50% in the 21st Parliament and stabilize at 65% by the 22nd.
Željana Zovko confirmed that the EU mission serves as a neutral and independent observer, committed to ensuring best practices in the electoral process. She mentioned that the mission comprises around 100 observers from EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, and Canada. The core team of the mission includes 11 analysts who assess various aspects of the electoral process, including legal, political, and media issues.