Islamists hoping for comeback in Jordan election
AMMAN: Jordanians vote in parliamentary elections tomorrow that could see opposition Islamists re-emerge as a major parliamentary force in the kingdom, a key Western ally in the fight against jihadists.
The vote comes as Jordan wrestles with stubbornly high unemployment, fears of a spillover from wars in Syria and Iraq and the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Experts expect the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood, to win around 20 seats in the 130-seat parliament, making it the biggest opposition force.
The IAF boycotted elections in 2010 and 2013 in protest at the electoral system and allegations of fraud.
Jordan’s electoral system gives disproportionate clout to rural districts, which are less populated than the cities but tend to return tribal candidates loyal to the monarchy.
TheIAFwillalsofacecompetition from Islamists seen as aligned with the palace, however.
These include the breakaway Muslim Brotherhood Association, which the government authorised last year to compete in polls.
“How well Islamists aligned with the monarchy fare compared to the IAF coalition may be the more important outcome of this election,” said Kirk Sowell of Utica Risk Services, a consultancy.
“Given parliament’s limited powers and the distorting impact of seat allocation, the primary significance of this election could be as a referendum on the state’s efforts to weaken the Muslim Brotherhood.
“If its ‘reform’ coalition easily defeats regime-aligned Islamists, it could be a black eye for the establishment,” he added.
Despite the challenges facing Jordan, the election has failed to inspire the public.
The Phenix Center, a local pollster, reported that 42 per cent of Jordanians planned not to vote while 19 per cent were undecided. Nearly a third said they would vote for a family or tribe member.
Such indifference reflects the fact the parliament has limited powers to affect government policy. — AFP