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Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly More photos  >>> 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 More statistics  >>> 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/

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

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 1 20 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

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

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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