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Jordan votes in polls boycotted by Islamists
[Emirates 24/7] Jordanians turned out in numbers on Tuesday to vote in elections likely to produce MPs with tribal links and loyal to the government that faces little challenge after opposition Islamists pulled out.Senior election official Saad Shehab announced a 32 per cent turnout by 1.30pm (1130 GMT). "Voter turnout is reassuring so far. It's expected to increase in the coming hours as everything is going smoothly," Interior Minister Nayef Qadi told news hounds. The polls come as Jordan faces an economic crisis with a record budget deficit of two billion dollars and a foreign debt of 11 billion dollars, or nearly 60 percent of GDP. Around 2.5 million Jordanians are eligible to vote at 1,492 polling stations, choosing from 763 candidates vying for a four-year term in the 120-seat lower house of parliament, with 12 seats reserved for women. Nearly 100 candidates are former MPs, and 134 are women. "We hope the lower house will represent all Jordanians and enhance the country's achievements," Prime Minister Samir Rifai told news hounds after casting his ballot at a school in Jabal Al-Hussein, near Amman's city centre. Posted by: Fred 2010-11-10 |
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