MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: LOW TURNOUT PROMPTS

UNCLAS AMMAN 004644 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM JO SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: LOW TURNOUT PROMPTS GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND BALLOTING IN 9 MUNICIPALITIES REF: AMMAN 4629 ¶1. (U) Jordan's July 26 municipal elections suffered from low voter turnout causing the government to extend balloting in 9 of the 82 municipalities in which elections were held. In 17 other municipalities, elections were not held because the number of candidates equaled the number of seats. Final results should be released on Sunday, July 27, following the close of the second day of voting. Jordan's Municipalities Law requires 51 percent of eligible voters' participation. Preliminary results in cities that did not have to vote indicates that at least 3 of the 46 women candidates won their seats in Kufranja (near Ajloun),Irbid, and Deir Alla (in the Jordan Valley). ¶2. (U) In the Greater Amman Municipality, which is treated separately from other city councils, low turnout resulted in a second day of polling in 13 of the city's electoral districts. PolCouns, who toured the city on election day, noted little campaign activity, few voters at polling stations, and empty campaign buses. ¶3. (U) The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, fielded 11 candidates in the Amman municipal district, opting to boycott the remaining municipalities to protest a new government amendment to the elections law which authorizes the government to appoint a maximum of 50 percent municipal council members in addition to the mayors. The government should announce on Tuesday, July 28, after the Cabinet session the names of the appointed council members and 99 mayors. HALE