b_179_129_16777215_00_images_JOR151515aa004.jpegAMMAN — The Muslim Brotherhood anticipates winning around a third of seats in Jordan’s parliament after elections on Tuesday.

Called the Islamic Action Front, or IAF, the Brotherhood’s affiliate had boycotted nearly 10 years of Jordanian elections, complaining that the kingdom’s ballot rules weakened opposition parties.

Now, however, Jordan has changed its election rules and the Brotherhood is seeking to refresh their global image through participation in one of the few democracies in the Arab world.

“The Brotherhood believes that participation in the elections is a religious and national duty needed to prove that we can take part in political life with other forces,” said IAF spokesman Paddy Rafayeh. “The Egyptian arm of the Muslim Brotherhood cost us the trust of the public.”

Previously, Jordan used a one-man-one-vote system. Now voters cast two ballots: one for a party and one for a roster of individual candidates. The revised system aims to level the playing field for smaller political parties.

“Current electoral laws, based on the principle of proportional lists, somewhat encouraged the Muslim Brotherhood to participate in elections," said Lower Sakhr al-Khasawneh, an election official.
Some experts question the Brotherhood’s forecast.

Up for office on Tuesday are 130 members of parliament. Fifteen spots are reserved for women. Separate regions are also guaranteed seats as are religious minorities such as Christians.

The IAF is currently running the highest number of partisan candidates with 72—but they only stand to win 20 seats, political analyst Oraib al-Rantawi told the Associated Press.
In November, the United Arab Emirates, a key donor to Jordan, designated the organization as a terrorist group.

“The deterioration of security and political situations in several Arab countries, such as Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen, have also put the Brotherhood under political pressure,” said Ibrahim Gharaibeh, a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan.

That pressure has its roots in the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. In Egypt, the Brotherhood and their candidate, Mohammed Morsi, were elected into power, only to be ousted one year later when Morsi attempted to squash out public protest. The party is now forbidden to participate in elections both there, and in several other Arab countries.

In light of such global vitriol, the Brotherhood has a chance on Tuesday to “rearrange their political situation,” he added.

Samia Ali Zoubi, a 50-year-old housewife from the eastern village of Zarqa, said she supported the group. “I will elect the Muslim Brotherhood out of duty and religious support,” said Ali Zoubi.

But voter apathy for King Abdullah II’s voter base of tribal coalitions, along with general frustrations over misrepresentation, may stymie turnout.

An IRI poll in April found that 87 percent of some 1,000 respondents believed that the previous session of parliament didn’t accomplish anything worthwhile during their tenure. More than half questioned if they would even vote now.

"I do not believe in elections,” said Siham Said Hatter, 20, a University of Jordan political science student who lives in the northern village of Salt. “But I will submit a blank paper in the ballot box as a sign of democratic participation. I believe that this Council will not offer anything, just like its predecessors.”

Analysts commented that the outcome of Tuesday’s elections would likely favor the status quo under the government.

But Jordan’s ability to protect the democratic process in a tumultuous region has beget a special regard for the kingdom.

"The fact that Jordan is actually holding elections in a region that is full of blood and fight and weapons – that in itself is important," said Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani. "It shows the strength of this country."



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