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Jordan votes in election boycotted by Islamists
Reuters - Wednesday, November 10
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By Suleiman al-Khalidi
AMMAN - Jordanians voted on Tuesday in a parliamentary election boycotted by the popular and influential Muslim Brotherhood and some leading liberal figures in protest at an election law they say erodes democracy.
Analysts expect the poll to produce a compliant parliament ready to support tough economic policies put forward by the government -- which is appointed by King Abdullah -- aimed at spurring growth and cutting a record $2 billion budget deficit.
The boycott left less than a seventh of candidates campaigning under any recognised party banner with most of those running former officials along with a handful of wealthy businessmen. This was expected to result in a parliament packed with pro-government deputies.
"Because of the boycott of the Islamists, the largest political party, the legitimacy and credibility of the new parliament is in question," said Mohammed Al-Masri, researcher at Jordan University's Centre for Strategic Studies.
Initial official results showed turnout for Tuesday's vote was 1.27 million or 53 of registered voters after polls closed at 7 pm . Final results were due on Wednesday.
It was down from the last election in 2007 when it was put at 57 pct, reflecting the boycott of the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, the Islamic Action Front.
Voter participation was almost halved in urban areas where the Islamists traditionally win seats, than in tribal rural areas.
Witnesses reported some skirmishes between supporters of rival candidates around the country with one killed in the southern city of Karak, but officials said the election passed off peacefully.
The government promised the elections would be free, fair and open to diplomatic and international observers, and warned the opposition they were in no position to criticise a process they pulled out of months ago.
"We had hoped all Jordanians and parties had participated but compared to previous years the turnout figures show there was no impact of the boycott," Prime Minister Samir al-Rifai told reporters after the initial figures were released.
Jordanians worry that a weak parliament might acquiesce in a settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict that abandons any right of return for Palestinians and force a permanent settlement in Jordan of many citizens of Palestinian origin.
CITIES UNDER-REPRESENTED
Optimism about reforms after King Abdullah dissolved parliament last year was dashed when the government he appointed maintained an unpopular law which critics say will ensure a pliant assembly after Tuesday's vote.
The electoral system sharply under-represents large cities that are Islamist and Palestinian strongholds in favour of sparsely populated areas dominated by conservative tribes who defer to the monarchy and traditional systems of law.
Sheikh Hamza Mansour, head of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, cast doubt on the official turnout figures, saying major cities felt "the impact of the boycott call with empty polling stations."
"I think Jordanians boycotted in strength and our decision to boycott resonated with a popular desire," Mansour told Reuters.
The distribution of constituencies means a vote cast in the crowded capital Amman carries only a quarter of the weight of one cast in the desert town of Maan.
Islamists and Palestinians have less confidence that parliament can address their basic political grievances due to its heavy tribal weighting and state patronage which ensure loyalty in outlying areas.
"We want a fair law that gives an equal opportunity for all Jordanians," Mansour earlier said.
The Islamic Action Front, small opposition parties and a number of prominent independent liberal figures pulled out in protest at what they say has been the steady weakening of parliament by successive governments.
Their boycott has left the field open to independent candidates drawing support from strong tribal and family links.
Few of the 763 candidates standing for 120 parliamentary seats have raised national concerns in their campaigns.
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