Candidates registration for jordan parliamentary elections opens

The Independent Elections Commission (IEC) in Jordan on Saturday started the registration of candidates running for seats in Jordan's 17th parliament for three days, one month ahead of elections. The early parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 23 January in preparation for the election of a new parliament that includes 140 deputies. The IEC, which replaced the Interior Ministry in overseeing the elections, said that the final number of people eligible to vote has reached 2272182. Last July, Jordan's House of Representatives approved amendments to increase the number of seats from 120 to 150 and gave the electorate two votes - one for a district representative and one for national-level lists that include political parties - replacing the single non-transferable vote.