In response to an invitation by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the European Union (EU) has deployed its Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the parliamentary election of 20 September 2016. By this, the EU has reaffirmed its commitment to Jordan’s political reforms, further democratization and stability. The EU EOM is led by Chief Observer Jo LEINEN, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany.

“I thank the Jordanian authorities for inviting us to observe this important election, a fundamental step in Jordan’s reform process”, said Chief Observer Jo LEINEN at a press conference in Amman. “It is the second time that the EU deploys an Election Observation Mission to Jordan. As in 2013, we will neither interfere or supervise the electoral process in any way, nor seek to legitimize the results. This is the election of the Jordanian people. We hope to contribute to an overall credible, transparent and inclusive process with our impartial and objective assessment to be published after the election day”, the Chief Observer added.

The EU EOM arrived on 13 August in Amman with a Core Team of nine analysts. A second group of 26 long-­‐term observers joined the EU EOM on 20 August and was deployed today across Jordan. Additionally, 40 short-­‐term observers will join the EU EOM before Election Day together with a delegation of the European Parliament. A number of locally recruited short-­‐ term observers from diplomatic representations of EU Member States in Jordan will also take part in the observation. The EU EOM will comprise more than 80 observers from all 28 EU Member States, Switzerland and Norway.

The EU EOM will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process based on a long-­‐term observation, in line with domestic law as well as regional and international standards. This analysis includes aspects such as the legal framework, the performance of the election administration, the campaign, the respect of fundamental freedoms, the conduct of the media, the voting and counting, the complaints and appeals process and the announcement of the results.

EU EOM observers are bound by a code of conduct which does not allow any interference in the process. The EU EOM will publish its initial findings in a Preliminary Statement, which will be presented in a press conference within two days after the election day. A Final Report will be published within two months of the completion of the electoral process and will include recommendations -­‐ offered for consideration to the authorities -­‐ for possible improvements of future elections.

The European Union has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the IEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guaranteeing freedom of movement to all EU EOM observers and access to all polling stations and relevant information. The EU EOM is independent from any EU institutions or Member State and is committed to remain neutral and abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, the Code of Conduct for international observers and the Jordanian laws.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Press Officer (English):
Michela SECHI (+962) 7 8061 7746
michela.sechi@eueomjordan.eu

Press Assistant (Arabic):
Mohammad BEN HUSSEIN (+962) 7 9930 7416
mohammad.benhussein@eueomjordan.eu

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