IEC organises session on decentralisation, municipalities

AMMAN — The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday organised a session on decentralisation and municipalities, their role in development and the importance of participation in the elections, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said that decentralisation was a step to complete political reforms and enhance citizens’ participation in decision making, highlighting that the elected governorate councils will have a role in deciding development priorities in each governorate, Petra said. On members of governorate councils, he said 85 per cent are elected, while 15 per cent are appointed.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Wali Masri said that municipalities underwent “major financial reforms” over the past four years, noting that they spent JD800 million on capital and service projects and that their budget rose from JD180 million in 2013 to JD400 million in 2017. State Minister for Media Affairs and Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said municipal and decentralisation elections represent a “major event” in the political and development arena, Petra added.