Jordan Justice and Reform Party 'firmly' backs King’s reform efforts

The Jordan Justice and Reform Party said on Sunday it solidly stands behind His Majesty King Abdullah’s strenuous efforts to bring about political and economic reform, social equality, political stability and national unity and to build a modern state. It said in a statement that last January’s elections to elect the Kingdom’s 17th parliament took place in a quiet atmosphere with grassroots participation that reflected the people’s will to choose representatives capable to deliver on their next tasks. The statement said the polls were one of the key underpinnings of democracy and a step towards partial or full parliamentary governments along the political reform path envisioned by the King to enhance political practice in the country. The party’s secretary general Majed Khalifeh said that despite the positive atmosphere in which the polls took place for the first time under the supervision of the Independent Elections Commission IEC ,the experience should be built on in the next elections to avoid any future mistakes and blunders. Khalifeh was referring to contests filed with the courts of appeal and complaints of fraud in some ballot boxes, vote-counting irregularities or controversies surrounding national list seats. He called for amendment of the IEC and elections laws and introduction of new regulations governing the IEC’s future work to protect the country’s democracy and reputation and fend off suspicions against the IEC to avert election boycotts.