Jordan’s PM urges MB offshoot to reverse decision to boycott Fall polls

Jordan’s PM urges MB offshoot to reverse decision to boycott Fall polls

Jordan’s Prime Minister Samir Rifai called on the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot the Islamic Action Front (IAF) in Jordan, to reverse its decision to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections.

An earlier decision was made by the IAF to boycott the polls in protest to a new law which will significantly undermine the group’s gains in past elections.

The Brotherhood had objected to the law, citing it lacked guarantees of polls transparency, and fearing a rerun semilar to that of 2007, where it won only six seats compared to 17 in the 2003 elections.

 

Mr. Rifai asserted to the leaders of the Brotherhood’s political arm that their participation in the elections was important. The PM also urged all political parties to participate in the polls, which he promised would take place on time and would be fair and transparent.

Islamic Action Front leader Zaki Bani Ersheid, stated that no decision was made yet on whether they will scrap the boycott.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has promised to speed up political reforms, introduce progressive legislation, wider freedom to women, political parties, the media, and enforcing strict penalties in the case of for corruption and discrimination. The Brotherhood, however, remains skeptic.