Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Any decision to delay the forthcoming parliamentary elections, slated for November 10th, will be contingent upon epidemiological developments and the possible reintroduction of a total lockdown across the Kingdom, Independent Election Commission's (IEC) Chairman Khaled Kalaldeh said on Wednesday.

"In the event that the elections are postponed, all relevant preparations will be frozen, and they will resume from where they left off after setting a new date for the vote," Kalaldeh told a meeting with a delegation from the Civil Society Organizations Coordinating Committee (HIMAM).

He emphasized that the commission is committed to creating all the conditions and policies that support the success of the elections, noting that participation is "what makes an impact and communicates a message to decision makers, even if it is limited to casting a blank paper in the ballot box."

"The state is interested in delivering political messages of reassurance to all parties, but the other parties are also required to send messages of reassurance", Kalaldeh, a former minister, said.

He welcomed cooperation with civil society institutions in the electoral process and appreciated their effective role in monitoring the forthcoming vote and encouraging stronger turnout.

The IEC chairman highlighted "some amendments and changes" made to the voting process, saying they were necessitated by the circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed integrity and transparency are the basis, and that all new amendments and changes aim to preserve the public safety and prevent the spread of the disease among voters.