Arab Reform Bulletin | Link to story »
"As Jordan heads toward parliamentary elections to be held by the end of 2010, recommendations to reform the electoral system made by the nongovernmental National Center for Human Rights (NHCR) have touched off a firestorm of debate in Jordanian political circles.
"Dozens of reform-minded political parties, women's organizations, and NGOs have welcomed the recommendations, joined a National Coalition to Reform the Legal Framework Governing the Electoral Process, and begun grassroots and online campaigns to rally support for the changes.
"The NHCR, working in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), last year launched a nationwide campaign for electoral reform in Jordan. The current law, amended in 1993, is seen as favoring elite and tribal candidates over political party candidates and thus is considered an obstacle to political pluralism. The campaign began by organizing a series of forums and workshops in the capital and Jordan's larger cities discussing amendments needed to guarantee free and fair elections that would meet international standards as well as Jordanians' aspirations for a parliament that is representative and able perform its legislative and oversight roles."