Amman: The Independent Election Commission (IEC) stated that it is not involved in internal party disputes following a court ruling that upheld the expulsion of former Member of Parliament Mohammad Al Jarrah. This ruling confirmed the party's decision to dismiss Al Jarrah, and the IEC emphasized that all parties must comply with these judicial measures.
According to Jordan News Agency, IEC spokesperson Mohammad Khair Rawashdeh clarified that the commission's role is to regulate party affairs and ensure the implementation of applicable laws. He noted that the IEC was informed of the court's decision regarding Al Jarrah's expulsion, which necessitated informing the Lower House of Parliament about the resultant vacancy of his party seat in the general constituency.
Rawashdeh explained that the Lower House communicated with the IEC concerning the vacancy of the party seat, which was allocated under the youth category. The response from the IEC identified Hamza Hani Mohammad Khalil "Al Toubasi" as the candidate from the Labor Party list to fill the seat, as his name was recorded in the nomination application during the 20th parliamentary elections.
The spokesperson emphasized that the actions of the IEC are governed by the constitution and relevant legislation, ensuring compliance with election and political party laws. He reiterated that any party aggrieved by IEC decisions has the right to challenge these decisions in court.
Rawashdeh also noted that the IEC Board of Commissioners met to issue a decision based on constitutional and legal guidelines, confirming the replacement for the vacant youth-category seat formerly held by Al Jarrah. He stressed that the IEC remains impartial and any disputes over its decisions should be resolved through judicial channels.
The commission's adherence to legal procedures, he stated, underscores the integrity and impartiality of its decisions, ensuring that any challenges to its rulings are addressed through due legal process.