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JORDAN
Majlis Al-Nuwaab (House of Representatives)

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1964 -
LEADERSHIP
President Atef Tarawneh (M) 
Notes Elected on 3 Nov. 2013, re-elected on 2 Nov. 2014, on 15 Nov. 2015 and on 7 Nov. 2016.
Secretary General Firas Adwan (M) 
Notes Appointed on 1 Dec. 2016.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 130 / 130
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 20 (15.38%)
Mode of designation directly elected 115
other 15
Notes Other: 15 seats are reserved for women.
Twelve of the 115 seats are reserved for minorities: nine for Christians and three for Chechens and Circassians.
Term 4 years
Last renewal dates 20 September 2016
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Majlis Al-Nuwaab
House of Parliament
P.O. Box 72
AMMAN 11118
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (9626) 563 5100
Fax (9626) 568 5970
E-mail representatives@Representatives.JO
Website
http://www.parliament.jo
http://www.representatives.jo/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 15 March 2016
Law No. 6 of 2016
Mode of designation directly elected 115
other 15
Constituencies - 23 multimember districts (between 3 and 10 seats each) for 115 seats.

In addition, there are 15 seats reserved for women (one for each of the 12 governorates and one for each of the 3 Badia districts: North, Centre and South). They are selected from among the women candidates who did not win district seats.
Voting system Proportional: List Proportional Representation (List PR) using an open list. All candidates run as members of electoral lists. Each list must comprise men and women candidates.

Each elector votes for a list as a whole, and then for one or more candidate(s) of his/her choice from within the same list.
Each list is awarded seats in the district in proportion to the number of votes that it won and in comparison to the total number of voters in that district.

Special provisions for the 15 reserved seats for women:
- For the governorate comprising only one district: the candidate who won the highest number of votes in comparison to the total number of voters is elected.
- For the governorates comprising more than one district: in each of the governorate's districts, the candidate who won the highest number of votes in comparison to the total number of voters in the district where she stood is identified; of those candidates identified, the one with the highest proportion of votes to voters in her district is elected.

Special requirements for candidates running for the 12 seats reserved for minorities:
- In case there are no reserved seats in the district in which they reside, candidates may register in one of the districts in the governorate in which they reside.
- In case there are no reserved seats in the governorate in which they reside, candidates may register in a district in another governorate.
- The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the electoral district is elected.

- Vacancies to the 115 seats are filled by the next-in-line candidate of the same list.
- Vacancies to the reserved seats for minorities are filled by the candidate with the highest number of votes obtained in his/her district.
- Vacancies to the reserved seats for women are filled by the woman candidate that obtained the next-highest proportion of votes after the originally elected candidate.
In case it is not possible to fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions above, by-elections will be held in the district concerned.

Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - Age: 18 years (90 days prior to polling day)
- Jordanian citizenship
- Ordinary residence in a constituency
- Disqualifications: Membership of the armed or security services; undischarged bankruptcy; mental illness; persons placed under guardianship by a court order; criminal conviction; allegiance to a foreign State
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - Qualified electors
- Age: 30 years old on polling day
- Jordanian citizenship for at least 10 years

Ineligibility:
-Government contractors working for an official public institution or company owned or controlled by the government, or working for certain other public institutions
- Certain relatives of the King
- Imprisonment exceeding one year for a non-political crime for which the perpetrator has not been pardoned
Incompatibilities - Ministers and employees of ministries, government departments and public institutions
- Employees of Arab, regional and international organizations
- The Mayor of Amman, members of the Amman Municipal Council and municipal employees of that Council
-Chairs, members and employees of governorate, municipal and local councils

Deputies may become ministers during their term as parliamentarians. However, ministers who wish to run for parliament must resign from their post 60 days before the polling day of a general election and 15 days before a by-election.
Candidacy requirements - Non-reimbursable deposit of JD 500
- Candidates may run in only one district and one list

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 20 September 2016
Timing and scope of renewal Pro-government candidates retained the majority in the new 130-member House of Representatives (see note). The opposition Islamic Action Front party (the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan) participated in the elections for the first time since 2007. It formed the National Coalition for Reform (NCR) with Christian candidates, which took a total of 15 seats. During the election campaign, many candidates focused on unemployment, health care, education and economic development. On 25 September, King Abdullah II re-appointed Mr. Hani al-Mulki as Prime Minister.

Note:
The statutory number of members of the House of Representatives decreased from 150 to 130 under the new electoral system, which is based on multi-member constituencies (instead of the previous single-member constituencies). This was a key demand of the Islamic Action Front. As in the previous legislature, 15 seats are reserved for women and another 12 seats are reserved for minorities (9 for Christians and 3 for Chechens and Circassians).
In accordance with article 63 of the Constitution, the statutory number of members of the Senate, which was also renewed in September 2016, decreased from 75 to 65.
Date of previous elections: 23 January 2013

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 29 May 2016

Timing of election: Early elections

Expected date of next elections: September 2020

Number of seats at stake: 130 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: 1,252 (1,000 men, 252 women)

Percentage of women candidates: 21.1%

Number of parties contesting the election: 226 lists

Number of parties winning seats: At least 73 lists

Alternation of power: No*
*Monarchy

Number of parties in government: N/A

Names of parties in government: N/A

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 7 November 2016

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Atef Tarawneh
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 120 September 2016
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
4'139'612
1'490'200 (36%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Al-Wefaq Al-Watani
Al-Adalah
Watan
Al-Demokratiyah
Al-Islah
Al-Tajdeed
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Al-Wefaq Al-Watani 24
Al-Adalah 24
Watan 21
Al-Demokratiyah 19
Al-Islah 14
Al-Tajdeed 13
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
110

20

15.38%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Sources:
House of Representatives (15.06.2017, 19.06.2017)
Independent Election Commission (27.09.2016, 23.10.2016)
http://www.entikhabat.jo/en/content/priliminary-voter-list-pvl
http://iec.jo/en
http://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/2016_ifes_jordan_parliamentary_elections_faqs.pdf
http://www.jordantimes.com
http://www.aljazeera.com
http://www.albawaba.com

The distribution of seats above refers to the membership of the six parliamentary groups within the House of Representatives as at 19 June 2017. In addition, there were 15 independent members.
The names and membership of parliamentary groups may change at the beginning of each Ordinary Session, as per the House's bylaws.

The following lists won parliamentary representations in the September 2016 elections.
- Al Islah (Reform): 11
- Al Adalah (Justice): 7
- Al Wafaa (Loyalty): 6
- Watan (Homeland): 6
- Abnaa Karak (Children of Karak): 3
- Al Amal (Labour): 3
- Al Aqsa: 3
- Al Zaytoonah (Olive): 3
- Independents: 3
- Al Asalah: 2
- Al Baraka: 2
- Al Haq: 2
- Al Karamah (Dignity): 2
- Al Ummah (Nation): 2
- Al Watan: 2
- Al Wifaq (Consensus): 2
- Al Wihda Al Wataniya (National Unity): 2
- Aqaba: 2
- Hazm (Resilience): 2
- Houran Al Khair: 2
- Nashama (The brave ones): 2
- Petra: 2
- Raad Al Shamal (Thunder of the north): 2
- Suqoor (Eagles): 2
- Taawon (Cooperation): 2
- Tajdid (Renewal): 2
- Abnaa Balqa (Children of Balqa): 1
- Abnaa Zarqa (Children of Zarqa): 1
- Ahl Al Azm: 1
- Ain Al Watan (The eye of the homeland): 1
- Al Ahd: 1
- Al Ardd (Land): 1
- Al Assad (Lion): 1
- Al Badr: 1
- Al Bayraq: 1
- Al Faqir: 1
- Al Faris (The Knight): 1
- Al Haq Yaalou: 1
- Al Ittihad: 1
- Al Ittihad wal Amal (Unity and labour): 1
- Al Khair: 1
- Al Manar: 1
- Al Mizan (Scales): 1
- Al Mostaqbal Al Mushreq (Bright future): 1
- Al Musharaka wal taghyeer (Engagement and change): 1
- Al Quds Al Shareef: 1
- Al Raya (The banner): 1
- Al Wafaa Lilaghwar (Loyalty to the Jordan Valley): 1
- Al Wafaa Lilwatan (Loyalty to the homeland): 1
- Assad Mutaaheb (Eager lion): 1
- Diftain (The two Banks): 1
- Fajer (Dawn): 1
- Forsan Al Quds (Knights of Jerusalem): 1
- Injaz (Achievement): 1
- Irbid: 1
- Irbid Al Karamah: 1
- Ittihad (Unity):2
- Jabal Ajloun: 1
- Jibal Al Tafileh (Mountains of Tafileh): 1
- Kinanah: 1
- Maan (Together): 1
- Mafraq Liljamee (Mafraq is for all): 1
- Mizan (Scales): 1
- Mostaqbal Amman (The future of Amman): 1
- Mostaqbal Madaba: 1
- Mustaqbal Zarqa (The future of Zarqa): 1
- Nakhla (Palm tree): 1
- Orouba: 1
- Qawl wa fil (Words and deeds): 1
- Shaab (People): 1
- Shams (Sun): 1
- Shobak: 1
- Suqoor Hurra (Free eagles): 1
- Watania Demoqratia (National democratic list): 1
- Yaqeen: 1
- Zaytoonah (Olive): 1

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the House of Representatives
Term - duration: 1 year, renewable
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Parliament, Speaker's responsibility called into question
Appointment - elected by all Members of the House of Representatives
- election held at the beginning of the new ordinary session of the Parliament (October 1st, each year)
- election held after the Members' mandates are validated, and after Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any Member of the House of Representatives can be candidate
- formal notification of candidature required
- deadline for the notification of candidature: beginning of the new ordinary session
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority is required (41 of the 80 Members) - if no candidate obtains that majority in the first round, several rounds are held
Procedures / results - a special committee composed of Members of the House of Parliament for the election presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the special committee supervises the voting
- the most senior Member announces the results without any delay
- the results can be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks third after the Prime Minister, and the President of the Senate
- the President of the Senate presides over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is ex officio Member of bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
Board - the Permanent Office is composed of 2 Deputy Speakers and 2 assistants
- term of office: 1 year
- meets once a week
- assists and advises the Speaker and is also a collegiate presidency
Material facilities - allowance
- special allowance
- official car
- secretariat and additional staff
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study, with the approval of the Asssembly
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees, with the approval of the Assembly
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum, with thew assistance of the Clerk
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates, with the approval of the Assembly
Special powers makes recommendations for:
- the establishment of the House's budget
- recruitement, assignment and promotion of staff
- the appoinment of the Clerk
- the organization of the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting only in the event of a tie
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Free representation
Start of the mandate · When the election results are declared (Art. 68 (i) of the Constitution of 01.01.1952, as amended up to and including 01.08.1984)
Validation of mandates · Validation by the House of Deputies (Art. 71 of the Constitution)
· Procedure (Art. 71 of the Constitution)
End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends - or on the day of early dissolution (Art. 68 (i) of the Constitution; for early dissolution, see Art. 73 and 74 of the Constitution)
. If elections are delayed after the termination of the term of the House, on the day of new elections (Art. 68 (ii) of the Constitution).
Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will (Art. 72 of the Constitution)· Procedure (Art. 72 of the Constitution)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the House of Deputies
Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter (Art. 75, 76, and 90 of the Constitution)
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy
Indemnities, facilities and services · Official passport
· Basic salary: JOD 850 ($ 1,200)
· No exemption from tax
· No pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat
(b) Postal and telephone services
Obligation to declare personal assets No
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 87 of the Constitution)
· Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament.
· Derogations: disciplinary measures in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House of Deputies
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins. It does not offer, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 86 (i) of the Constitution).
· It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest and from being held in preventive custody, and from the opening of judicial proceedings against them. It also protects them, as prescribed by the Standing Orders of Parliament, from their homes being searched.
· Derogations: in cases of flagrante delicto, MPs can be arrested. However, the House of Deputies has to be notified immediately.
· Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal.
· Protection is provided only during sessions and does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 86 (i) of the Constitution):
- Competent authority: the House of Deputies
- Procedure (Art. 86 (i) of the Constitution). In this case, MPs must be heard. They do have means of appeal.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament (SO 141 of the Standing Orders of Parliament).
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training · There is no training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs.
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings and committee meetings.
· Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation: suspension of salary for the period he was absent, prevention from attending further sessions
Discipline
Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system. For the definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter in cases of incompatibility, see Loss of mandate.
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 25 July 2018
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