Independence, transparency at core of election body’s mission — King

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday stressed the important role of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) and the need to preserve its independence as part of the country’s comprehensive reform process. 

During a meeting with members of the IEC board of commissioners at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King asserted the need for the continued improvement of the IEC’s performance and skills of its staff to meet international criteria and to become a distinguished regional election centre. 

He noted that the IEC should start with its preparations for municipal and governorate councils’ elections within the time frame set in the roadmap of political reform, according to a Royal Court statement. 

“You have a lot of work ahead of you… and we are fully prepared to assist you through providing necessary capabilities and training,” the King told commissioners. 

King Abdullah expressed his full support and that of the various government bodies for the IEC in this regard, stressing the importance of reinforcing the independence of the commission to guarantee free and fair elections. 

As for the commission, “the most important thing is its independence, and this is a priority, along with transparency in its work”, the King noted at the meeting, which was also attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan. 

For their part, IEC commissioners highlighted the strides the commission has made so far since its inception in 2012.  

IEC President Riyadh Shakaa highlighted the commission’s accomplishments, its future tasks and “relentless” efforts to coordinate with the various concerned parties to ensure that it does its election oversight job as smoothly as possible. 

Expanding the IEC’s jurisdiction, in pursuance of the amendments to the Constitution, was necessary to boost the reform process and to enable the commission pursue its full role in this regard, he noted, as the body is now responsible for overseeing parliamentary and municipal elections and any other polls called for by the Cabinet after its role was restricted to legislative polls.

Shakaa said that the IEC has opened channels of communication with the various concerned entities and formed a committee to maintain contact with political parties.

It also reviewed the various pieces of legislation pertaining to its work and the electoral process, he added. 

Speaking to the press following the meeting, IEC Commissioner Asma Khader said the meeting reflected the King’s continued support for the commission due to the significance of its role, noting that it was His Majesty who issued directives to expand its jurisdiction. 

The meeting stressed the importance of the independence of IEC and the confidence in its ability to run and oversee elections and win people’s trust in the process.

The meeting focused on the steps taken to host the headquarters of the Arab Organisation of Electoral Administrations in Jordan, she said.  

They also discussed the IEC’s plan to establish a specialised training centre to develop and qualify human resources serving in this domain. 

It also stressed the need to make it feasible for persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote and take part in elections, she added.