Amman:The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, has approved the rationale for a draft bylaw concerning the number of municipal council members and the constituency division for the year 2026. This decision was made during a session held last Sunday. The bylaw will now proceed to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further formal procedures required for its enactment.
According to Jordan News Agency, the new regulation is designed to implement the Local Administration Law No. 16 of 2026, allowing the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to prepare for municipal elections scheduled for the first half of 2027. The bylaw aims to define the number of council members for 104 municipalities, establish municipal district boundaries, and streamline election activities, thereby ensuring citizens' constitutional right to select their representatives.
The regulation also adjusts the women's quota in municipal councils, increasing it to 30% from the previous 25% as per the 2021 Local Administration Law. It specifies council member numbers for newly established municipalities, including Bani Obeid, Ghor Al-Mazra'a, Juraina, and Rajm Al-Shami. The Local Administration Law, published in the Official Gazette on September 10, 2026, after passing Parliament and receiving Royal Decree, is part of the government's commitment to amending related regulations, including those governing municipal council numbers and electoral district delineation.
The law aligns with the Royal Committee's political system modernization outcomes, the Economic Modernization Vision, and the public sector modernization roadmap. It reflects directives from His Majesty King Abdullah II to improve the legislative framework for local administration. The law's objectives include enhancing municipal operations, integrating them into comprehensive development, and strengthening local governance and community participation. It also empowers municipalities to play a developmental and investment role, stimulating local economies.
Additionally, the law ensures the direct, secret-ballot election of municipal council heads and members, enhances development and investment planning, ensures representation for less-developed areas, and aims for equitable distribution of development projects. The law was endorsed after extensive dialogues between the government, the Lower House of Representatives, the Senate, relevant committees, parliamentary blocs, and various experts.