Members of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) were sworn in on Wednesday before His Majesty King Abdullah.

A Royal Decree was issued on Sunday appointing IEC members under the new Independent Elections Commission Law enacted in line with last year’s Constitutional amendments.

Abdul Ilah Khatib was named president of the board of commissioners, while Riyadh Shakaa, Atef Btoush, Mohammad Ali Alawneh and Eid Jweied were named board members.

In a letter addressed to Khatib and the members of the Commission on Sunday, King Abdullah stressed the Commission’s role in enhancing Jordan’s reform process.

His Majesty said the IEC is an essential step in the preparation for parliamentary elections that should be conducted with the highest level of integrity, transparency and impartiality.

In a reply letter to the King, carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Wednesday, Khatib expressed the Commission’s commitment to the principles of fairness, integrity and impartiality and its determination to accomplish its mission.

“The 2011 Constitutional amendments strengthened civil and political rights and ensured greater participation in the Kingdom’s political life,” Khatib said. He pledged that the IEC will carry out its duties with integrity and professionalism to meet the aspirations of the Jordanian people. “We are committed to exert our utmost efforts to build the IEC on solid foundations, to enable it to carry out its duties in line with its Law and according to the international best practices and standards,” Khatib said in the letter, adding that the IEC will work to win the people’s confidence.