His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed that the countdown has begun for the next parliamentary elections by the end of this year as the 2012 Elections Law went into effect earlier this week.

During a meeting with the president and members of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC), King Abdullah stressed the need for the body to commence its duties and start taking all necessary measures to ensure smooth elections. 

The King, who voiced his wholehearted support for the IEC, underlined that his directives to the government to revisit the Elections Law were primarily meant to widen public participation in the polls.

His Majesty noted that amendments to the law must ensure a fair representation of all segments of society in the next Chamber of Deputies and encourage political parties to compete in the elections to ultimately arrive at a Lower House capable of forming parliamentary blocs that will play a vital role in the selection of premiers and the formation of governments.

His Majesty also stressed the IEC’s responsibility in ensuring electoral fairness and transparency, to boost citizens’ confidence in the voting process.

Moreover, the King said the IEC should adopt a media strategy to open channels of communication with all citizens and institutions during the electoral process to ensure a complete success of the polls.

For their part, the president and council members of the IEC updated the King on measures the monitoring body is taking to ensure smooth and successful parliamentary elections.

In remarks to Jordan Television and the Jordan News Agency, Petra, IEC President Abdul Ilah Khatib said the commission is already taking all measures stipulated in the Elections Law, which went effective on Sunday.

Khatib added that the IEC will soon decide on the data that will be included on the voting identification cards, which will be issued by the Civil Status and Passports Department.