Jordan- Delay in preparations for polls cannot be tolerated 

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday stressed that all Jordanians are looking forward to see the parliamentary elections held this year in complete fairness, transparency and neutrality.

Receiving president and members of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC), the Monarch voiced his support for the agency to help conduct the parliamentary elections before the end of this year, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King also underlined that the IEC is a major pillar in efforts to prepare the stage for a new era in the Kingdom's history, noting that he will not tolerate any delay or hindrance to the commission's work, the statement said.

In addition, the Monarch underscored that the upcoming parliamentary elections should be conducted according to the highest levels of impartiality and transparency that ultimately bring about a competent Chamber of Deputies that represents all segments of society and that can perform its legislative and monitoring duties with complete professionalism, the statement said.

The King also stressed that the IEC's success is key to political reform, urging the commission to carry out its duties in line with its mandate until parliamentary elections are held in a manner that meets people's expectations of a better future, the statement said.

President of the Board of Commissioners of the IEC Abdul Ilah Khatib pledged that the agency, which was established under the new version of the Constitution endorsed in September, will be up to the ambitions of His Majesty and all Jordanians and will perform its duties with complete responsibility, objectivity and neutrality, the statement said.

In statements to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, and Jordan TV following the meeting, Khatib said that the IEC members immediately embarked on the job upon the inception of the body earlier this month, adding that they are in the process of setting up the commission's constitutional structure and recruiting qualified staff.