EU observers label polls as ‘success’, suggest improvements

Broader guarantees to further enhance participation, in particular of women and youth, transparency and compliance with applicable international standards for democratic elections: these are the key areas addressed by the priority recommendations contained in the final report by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Such guarantees could boost public trust in elections and reinforce the political reform supported by the EU and other international stakeholders.

A number of priority recommendations, including all those offered to further enhance transparency, can be implemented without any legislative action. However, implementation of most of priority recommendations addressing participation and compliance with international standards, such as protection of fundamental freedoms, universality and equality of the vote and the right to stand, would require legislative action by the newly elected parliament and would benefit from broad consultation and public support.

The report was presented at a press conference in Amman today by Chief Observer Jo LEINEN, Member of the European Parliament from Germany. It offers a comprehensive assessment of the 20 September 2016 parliamentary election. The recommendations included in the report are offered for consideration by national stakeholders, first and foremost by the authorities, to conduct future elections in line with applicable international standards for democratic elections.

“The EU EOM hopes that these priority recommendations, as well as the additional ones, will be considered by the authorities and other election stakeholders”, said Chief Observer Jo LEINEN. “The EU stands ready to support Jordanian interlocutors in their efforts to bring elections further in line with Jordan’s international obligations and commitments”, he added.

Mr LEINEN emphasized the positive assessment of the parliamentary elections by the EU EOM. “The elections were well-administrated and inclusive. Election day was peaceful, calm and generally well organized” he said and added “The EU remains committed to work with Jordanian partners on strengthening the democratic process, and will continue to take a keen interest in the reform here in the coming months and years.”.

The report was presented to the Independent Election Commission and the authorities of Jordan. A roundtable with representatives of civil society, political parties, international organisations and electoral experts is scheduled to discuss the recommendations and their implementation.

The EU EOM was deployed to Jordan from 13 August to 6 November 2016. The EU EOM observed the 20 September 2016 parliamentary election with 108 observers from all 28 EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. EU EOMs are independent from EU institutions or Member States in their findings and conclusions, and abide by the laws of the host country and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct.