Skip to main content

Will the Elections Law Solve the Problem?


       Jordan held its parliamentary elections on January 23rd amidst much criticism and skepticism from political opponents. The modified 2012 Elections Law, which maintained the Single Non Transferable Vote (also known as the one man one vote system), but introduced new national-level lists, is still rejected by political opponents.

     Long is the list criticizing the Elections Law, where political activists are demanding just representation of political parties. This notion of political injustice is fed by the 30 year old ban on political parties (from 1957 to 1989). Rightfully do opposition parties, whether Islamists, communists, socialists and pan-Arabists, complain about the design of the Elections Law and the division of constituencies, where the former promotes voting for tribal members rather than political candidates and the latter strengthens the representation of loyalist Jordanians at the expense of Jordanians from Palestinian origins and political parties. A democratic country whose constitution clearly states the right for free and fair elections and legislative independence should respect and implement these constitutional provisions.

      Nonetheless, and as wisdom has repeatedly demonstrated, reality is far different from the perfect picture painted by thinkers and political activists, blurring consequently the judgment of their followers. When addressing the issues of unfair representation, weak political organization and manipulation of parliamentary life, other external factors must be taken into account. This consideration of factors is not intended to justify the weak political system; the purpose is mere clarification.

    Taking the three decade ban on political parties for example, this decision was made against the backdrop of nationalist and leftist political notions across the Arab region, fed by proxy revolutions and movements, and the influence of irrational nationalistic demagogues. Infiltrators into Jordanian borders, whose prime concern was delegitimizing the political leadership, infringing on national sovereignty and that of its citizens under the pretext of liberalization and pan-Arab schemes at first, and then anti-Zionist sentiments, had to be confronted and controlled. A country with the size of Jordan (in population and geographic terms), which is surrounded by a volatile region and emotionally charged citizens had to resort to extreme measures to secure its stability.

       Another example is the 1993 elections law, whose anti-representative features (manifested in the one man one vote system) demonstrates the sensitivity of the Jordanian political situation. The main complaint was (and remains to be) that it favors the election of Jordanian loyalists and marginalizes political parties and Palestinian representation. So what was the result of the 1993 elections? The elections heavily reduced the influence of the Islamic Action Front (the political party of the Muslim Brotherhood) in parliament and in November 1994, the peace treaty with Israel, signed on October 26th 1994, was ratified by a comfortable margin. These actions highlight two important points: first, Jordanian loyalist candidates were elected, and second, their majority in the parliament facilitated the signature of the Peace Treaty...a much needed Treaty. In other words, a large segment of the Jordanian society, once given the choice between voting for a candidate from a political party or a candidate representing their tribe, the choice is almost always the tribal candidate. Whether this is a modern political phenomenon or an outdated one is out of the scope of this article and general argument; the point is that this is a political phenomenon and preference. Voters are not induced to vote for a particular candidate and do enjoy utter freedom in deciding who will represent them in parliament, whether it were a political organization or a tribal organization.

     On another note, and in reference to the same elections mentioned above, not only would the overrepresentation of Palestinians in parliament obstruct a much needed peace treaty with Israel, but the fact that Palestinians are a majority in a country other than theirs, the possibility of controlling the Jordanian parliament would support the right-wing Israeli argument that the State of Palestine should be Jordan, hence refuting all Palestinian claims in the West Bank. Moreover, Jordan’s dependence on foreign aid (mainly from the USA and the EU), and the lessons it learned from the dangers of depending on regional support, plays an important role in controlling the pan-Arabist and nationalist movements that are brewing amongst clandestine political cells.

    In conclusion, a perfect political situation in Jordan would be the following: A peaceful neighbor on the west, named Palestinian state, living in peace with its Israeli neighbor.
  • A stable Iraqi neighbor, free from tyrannical leaders, religious infighting and political strives.
  • Stable relations with neighbors based on respect of sovereignty, independence and economic solidarity.
  • A stable economy that can meet the needs of the citizens without the conditional help of donors.
  • Popular consciousness on the importance of political organization and thought.

     All of the above-mentioned factors are absent the moment, and until they are achieved, the utopian picture painted by the opposition will never materialize and the calls for reforming the Elections Law must be well contemplated and studied.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Just as Orwell Said

         George Orwell said in his famous book 1984 that “first they steal the words, then they steal the meaning”, accurately foreseeing the political actions of world leaders and their manipulation of public opinion. His words are ever so precise once one examines the vocabulary applied by a number of world leaders when describing the policies and regimes of troubling countries: axis of evil, war on terror, terrorist killers, harbourers of fundamentalism etc. Ironic it is to see how those who were once described to have been allies with Satan himself seem to show good will in a matter of very few years. Iran is one very good example of this. The Persian nation has come out as a winner in the Geneva talks that were held in October, where not only did it get applauded for the concessions it offered, but it also ensured the west’s acceptance of its regional weight. Everyone seems to be more relaxed after the negotiations and ...

Kaftar

Muaawiya Bin Abi Sufyan was the first Umayyad Caliph, who ruled as a just and jovial leader until his death in 683 AD. Known for his sense of humour and his love for women, Abi Sufyan was famous for a story that took place in his own harem. While escorting a woman for the Khorasan region in modern day Iran, a beautiful woman entered the harem and mesmerised the Leader of All Believers. With his pride in his manhood and prowess in the bed arena, Abi Sufyan did not hesitate to engage in a brazen and manly sexual act in front of the Khorasani woman, who was patiently waiting for her turn. After he was done, he turned victoriously to his first concubine and asked her how to say ‘lion' in Persian - in a direct analogy to his sexual performance.  The Khorasani woman, unamused, told him slyly, that lion is kaftar in Persian. The Caliph went back to his Court ever so jubilant and told his subjects – repeatedly – that he was one lucky kaftar. His...

Pan-Arabism vs. Middle Easternism?

             A rab Nationalism, a romantic concept that moved poets to write ballads, intellectuals to preach volumes, activists to passionately organize and the masses to cheer freedom. A concept introduced by students at the American University of Beirut in the last phases of the ageing Ottoman Empire and studied in secret societies. This concept developed and led, under western planning, to the Great Arab Revolt in 1916. The slogans of Arab revival and freedom from Ottoman tyranny swept the Arab nations, where hopes of independence and self-rule were promised by the restoration of Arab control over the area. Then problems arose. Who are Arabs? What is an Aran nation? How does it extend geographically? Is it an area that encompasses people who speak the same language and share the same history? If so, why did the Lebanese Maronites reject the concept of Arab nationalism and insist on a Lebanese identity? Why did the Egyptians hesitate be...