Lower House code of ethics to be ready this month — source

AMMAN — Work is under way within the Lower House to draft a code of conduct to regulate the performance of lawmakers, and it is expected to be ready before the end of this month, according to a parliamentary source.

The well-informed source told The Jordan Times that lawmakers have been divided over the need for a code of conduct, “but this has changed after His Majesty King Abdullah’s recent meetings with MPs”.

In meetings with heads of parliamentary blocs and committees, His Majesty stressed the importance of endorsing a code of conduct to regulate lawmakers’ performance and resolve all problems hindering the performance of the Lower House, especially the frequent lack of quorum.

The source said the code of conduct is being written now by a joint panel comprising members of the House’s legal and order committees.

Last year, the House rejected a proposed code of conduct drafted by its Transparency and Integrity Committee. However, with the frequent insults traded by deputies and their absence from sessions, the Chamber tasked its newly formed Behaviour and Order Committee with drafting a new code.

In previous sessions, some lawmakers expressed their rejection of a code of conduct, arguing that the House’s Rules of Procedure contain enough disciplinary measures to control and regulate MPs’ performance.

Citing the frequent brawls, insults, absence from sessions and lack of quorum, some MPs stressed the importance of drafting a code of conduct to curb such phenomena, arguing that the House’s bylaws are of an organisational rather than an ethical nature.

The Civil Coalition for Monitoring Parliamentary Elections (Rased) has, on many occasions, stressed the need for a code of conduct to regulate deputies’ performance.