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Ammon News - By Amal Ghabayen

AMMONNEWS - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Nayef Qadi said that balloting rates so far on Tuesday are 'reassuring' and remain within normal voting rates.

He noted that polling centers are witnessing decent voter turnout since 7 AM on Tuesday.

Qadi justified in a press conference Monday Morning at the Media Center the weak turnout to polling centers in the capital Amman, compared to other governorates, noting that Amman residents are "pampered" and wake up late compared to residents of towns, villages and Badia.

Regarding the temporary 2010 Electoral Law adopted earlier this summer, Qadi stressed that there are no faults in the law "if the government formulated the law with golden verses from the Holy Qur'an mixed with verses from the Holy Bible it would still face criticism from some."

Qadi stressed that the government is determined to continue with the democratic process with complete disregard to those who try to obstruct democracy.

He noted that the Amman bombings, the 5th anniversary coinciding today on Election Day, failed to accomplish its venomous goals, but rather became incentive for Jordanians to hold steadfast to their principles and patriotism.

The Interior Minister warned against any attempts to violate the electoral law, stressing that the government will prosecute sternly any violations.

He said that voting using the electronic network had begun in all the 4221 ballot boxes with no technical problems in the system as all polling and counting committees took their positions since 6:00 am while the voting began at 7:00 am, pointing that extending the voting by up to two hours if voters are still present at polling centers at closing time.

Qadi said that the Muslim Brotherhood's boycott of the elections will allow others to represent them, stressing the important role of the Islamic Action Front party in supporting and strengthening the political process in Jordan.

Qadi also shed light on the status of women in Jordan, stressing that "Jordanian women are not behind, but are sitting side by side to the Minister of Media Affairs," in note of the Secretary General of the National Committee for Women's Affairs, Asma Khader, who was sitting to the right of Minister of Affairs and Communications, Ali Al Ayed.