Lower House adjourned over lack of quorum

AMMAN — The Lower House on Sunday started its deliberations over the amended draft of the integrity and anti-corruption law, before House Speaker Atef Tarawneh adjourned the session due to lack of quorum.

The deputies endorsed equalising wages and allowances of the chairman of Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) and president of the Court of Cassation, as well as salary equalisation of the commission's board and deputy president of the Court of Cassation.

The bill also allows for the JIACC's acquisition of immovable properties, as the right of owning movable assets has been stipulated by law, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the extraordinary session, the MPs also struck down the government's decision on abolishing Article 4/J of Anti-corruption Law. 

Paragraph J of the said article reads: “Prosecute any person who commits any act of corruption, seize his/her movable and immovable assets and ban him/her from travel based on an injunction issued by the competent judicial authority, in addition to request the related authority to suspend him/her from his/her official post, and if needed request the suspension of his/her salary, allowances and all other financial rights. It also has the power to amend or revoke any of the stated decisions according to the applicable legislations." 

The legislators decided to replace it by "prosecute any person who commits any act of corruption, and taking the needed measures," Petra added.

The bill also identified the authorities and tasks assumed to JIACC's president including supervising the commission, implementing the plans and programmes, representing the commission, signing the endorsed contracts and agreements, along with suggesting regulations besides other tasks.

The draft law also assigned the tasks of the commission's secretary general to establish the principles of transparency, integrity and the rule of law, as well as ensuring JIACC's independency.

A Royal Decree has been issued summoning the Parliament to convene for an extraordinary session as of Sunday, July 21. 

Bills listed in the Royal Decree to be endorsed during the extraordinary session also include the draft mediation for settling civil disputes law and the draft weapons and ammunition law among others.