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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Jordan holds parliamentary vote | Jordan holds parliamentary vote |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Jordanians have been voting in parliamentary elections seen as key to the country's transition to democracy. | |
| About 880 candidates, including a record 199 women, are contesting 110 seats in the lower house of parliament. | About 880 candidates, including a record 199 women, are contesting 110 seats in the lower house of parliament. |
| The Islamic Action Front (IAF) is the main opposition but independents, who are mainly loyal to King Abdullah, are expected to dominate the polls. | The Islamic Action Front (IAF) is the main opposition but independents, who are mainly loyal to King Abdullah, are expected to dominate the polls. |
| The IAF had threatened to boycott the polls, saying electoral law ensures independents will win most seats. | The IAF had threatened to boycott the polls, saying electoral law ensures independents will win most seats. |
| The voting took place amid heavy security with tens of thousands of police and soldiers patrolling polling stations. | The voting took place amid heavy security with tens of thousands of police and soldiers patrolling polling stations. |
| I'm not voting for anyone because they're all liars - Islamists and all the others Saeed Jalad Officials played down reports of election fraud, although two people were arrested for vote-buying. | I'm not voting for anyone because they're all liars - Islamists and all the others Saeed Jalad Officials played down reports of election fraud, although two people were arrested for vote-buying. |
| Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez told reporters that the issue "has been exaggerated by the media". | Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez told reporters that the issue "has been exaggerated by the media". |
| Polls closed at 1700 GMT and initial results are expected later in the evening. | |
| Economic issues | Economic issues |
| Correspondents say apathy and disillusionment are rife among Jordan's 2.5 million eligible voters. | Correspondents say apathy and disillusionment are rife among Jordan's 2.5 million eligible voters. |
| "I'm not voting for anyone because they're all liars - Islamists and all the others," said Saeed Jalad quoted by Associated Press. | "I'm not voting for anyone because they're all liars - Islamists and all the others," said Saeed Jalad quoted by Associated Press. |
| "They just want to grab seats in parliament and will forget about us and our needs." | "They just want to grab seats in parliament and will forget about us and our needs." |
| The IAF, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, won 17 seats in the 2003 election. | The IAF, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, won 17 seats in the 2003 election. |
| The party campaigned against corruption and US and Israeli policies in the Middle East, appealing to the Palestinian refugees who make up a significant proportion of Jordan's 5.7 million-strong population and who have voting rights as citizens. | The party campaigned against corruption and US and Israeli policies in the Middle East, appealing to the Palestinian refugees who make up a significant proportion of Jordan's 5.7 million-strong population and who have voting rights as citizens. |
| However, economic issues dominated most other candidates' campaigns. Jordan's unemployment rate is estimated to be between 14-30%. | However, economic issues dominated most other candidates' campaigns. Jordan's unemployment rate is estimated to be between 14-30%. |
| Nearly four times as many women are contesting this election than in 2003, when 54 ran. Six seats are reserved for women. | Nearly four times as many women are contesting this election than in 2003, when 54 ran. Six seats are reserved for women. |
| The 55-seat upper house is appointed by the king. | The 55-seat upper house is appointed by the king. |