IEC decisions ‘threaten transparency of election’ — IAF

AMMAN — The Islamic Action Front (IAF) on Saturday expressed concern over recent decisions by the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which the party says threaten the transparency of the upcoming vote.  

The IAF claimed in a statement that there was news of a plan for “official intervention” on election day to lead to the failure of IAF candidates “in several constituencies”.

In a letter to IEC President Khaled Kalaldeh, IAF Secretary General Mohammad Zyoud referred to the IEC’s decision not to use cameras installed in polling stations during the voting process on Tuesday, and to use small screens during the sorting of ballots. He also alleged that votes were being bought. 

Zyoud said the IAF referred these remarks to the IEC in the hope that the commission and other relevant institutions would stop any attempts to intervene, manipulate or forge the will of voters, the statement added.

The party will spot any violations and make its final decision on whether to continue participating in elections “at the right time”, the secretary general said.

He said candidates of the national reform coalition had come under pressure from “official institutions” to withdraw from the elections.

The IAF’s candidates are running in the election on lists formed under the national reform coalition, which includes Christians, members of other political parties and tribal leaders.