Independent election calls on candidates to comply with defense orders and instructions at polling stations 

February 6, 2022  The Independent Electoral Commission announced that with the start of the three-day runoff period for provincial councils, municipal councils, and the Amman Secretariat Council, which is scheduled to open on Monday, February 7, 2022, for a period of three days, it allows the release of electoral advertising to candidates within the rules of election advertising campaigns in its executive instructions, which are announced and published on the Authority's website and properly raised. The Authority explained that in order to preserve public health and safety and based on the epidemiological situation, when opening their own electoral headquarters, candidates must comply with the following: A. Providing sterilization materials within the electoral headquarters, and not allowing anyone to enter the electoral headquarters without complying with public health and safety requirements, including wearing muzzles. B. Do not call a meeting of voters or citizens in excess of the number specified in accordance with the specific public health and safety requirements of the competent authorities. A. Not to provide foods in all forms or beverages except to provide water with small bottles inside the electoral headquarters in line with public health and safety requirements. D. The gap between the electoral headquarters, so that the distance between the polling station and the other is not less than 200 m, ensuring that there is no crowding in front of the electoral headquarters. E. Failure to open the electoral headquarters before obtaining approval from the Chairman of the Election Committee on the form prepared for this purpose with a written commitment signed by the candidate to comply with the specific public health and safety requirements of the competent authorities. The Authority urged candidates and their supporters to adhere to public safety measures and physical spacing by not touching or shaking hands inside headquarters, leaving a distance between seats and the other, committing themselves to appropriate ventilation, wearing muzzles and providing the necessary sterile materials to prevent them from contributing to the spread of the epidemic. 
 
The Authority announced that it has commissioned electoral advertising monitors at the electoral district level to conduct field tours to ensure compliance under the penalty of legal accountability, including closing the headquarters or transferring to the prosecutor in case of serious irregularities at the discretion of the field team. The Independent Electoral Commission has issued a decision to close all polling stations for candidates in the 2020 parliamentary elections after monitoring a number of irregularities and non-compliance within the headquarters.