Parliamentary Elections 2016

European Union Election Observation Mission Jordan 2016

www.eueomjordan.eu

TO KNOW MORE

EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2016 Grand Hyatt Towers (Zara, 10th floor) 3rd Circle, Amman, Jordan Email: info@eueomjordan.eu Website: www.eueomjordan.eu Facebook: www.facebook.com/eueomjordan Twitter: @eueomjordan For press inquiries : Michela Sechi, Press Officer (+962) 7 8061 7746 michela.sechi@eueomjordan.eu

The EU Election Observation Mission assesses whether:

• the legal framework is in line with regional and

international standards for democratic elections and

whether it is applied in a transparent, impartial and

inclusive manner by the election administration and other

public institutions;

• candidates and political parties enjoy fundamental

freedoms, such as freedom of expression, assembly and

association, in line with Jordanian laws;

• candidates have equitable access to public resources to

finance their campaign;

• media, in particular public media, provide candidates

with equitable coverage;

• universal, equal and secret suffrage is ensured, and

voters are able to freely express their choices through

the ballot;

• votes are counted and tabulated honestly;

• stakeholders are provided with effective legal

protection

A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Jordan

WHY HAVE WE COME TO JORDAN?

Upon the invitation by the Jordanian authorities, the

European Union (EU) has deployed an Election

Observation Mission (EOM) to the Hashemite Kingdom of

Jordan to observe the parliamentary elections scheduled

for 20 September 2016. Including 2013, this is the second

time that the EU is observing parliamentary elections in

Jordan. This interest reflects the EU's commitment to

supporting transparent and inclusive elections in the

country, in line with international and regional standards

for democratic elections and domestic legislation.

The EU deploys election observation missions around the

world to provide support for the development of countries’

democratic institutions and to accompany partner

countries in their objective to hold elections in line with

their international and regional obligations. The key

objectives of EU election observation are to:

• support the democratic process in partner countries;

• enhance public confidence in the electoral process and

deter potential fraud;

• strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law.

WHO ARE THE EU OBSERVERS ?

The Mission is led by Chief Observer Jo LEINEN, a

Member of the European Parliament from Germany.

A Core Team of nine election experts arrived in Amman

on 13 August to analyse political, electoral and legal

aspects related to the electoral process.

A group of 26 long-term observers arrived in Jordan on

20 August and has already been deployed across the

country. Shortly before Election Day, 40 short-term

observers and a delegation of Members of the European

Parliament will join the mission.

Locally recruited short-term observers from EU

diplomatic representations based in Amman will also be

part of the EU EOM.

HOW DO WE OBSERVE?

The European Union uses an established

methodology for observing elections. Observers do

not interfere in any way in the electoral process,

including by offering advice or assistance. The EU

EOM does not legitimise the electoral process nor

does it validate the election results. All EU election

observers are bound by a Code of Conduct that

ensures their neutrality and impartiality. This is all

reflected in the mandate and methodology described

in the Handbook for the EU Election Observation

available in several languages including English and

Arabic on our website (www.eueomjordan.eu)

Chief Observer Jo LEINEN

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