(MENAFN- Jordan Times) The government is committed to holding parliamentary elections before the end of the year, which comes as part of the ongoing reform process, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Samih Maaytah said on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference, he stressed that the government respects the people's right to peaceful freedom of expression, adding that popular demands are legitimate and respected.
"Jordan has set a model for other countries in its democratic transformation, which aims at engaging the public in the decision-making process and setting priorities that serve development and lead to enhancing citizens' living conditions by making them part of the reform process," Maaytah, who is also government spokesperson, told reporters.
He noted that the government's decisions are not sacred and only respond to the requirements of the current situation.
"We are committed to meeting His Majesty King Abdullah's vision of reform... We are committed to the fact that reform is not exclusive to the elections law and the constitutional court; they only pave the way for further reform measures that still need to be taken as part of an ongoing process," the minister said.
Maaytah stressed the government will ensure that the Independent Elections Commission performs its duties without any interference from whomsoever.
He reiterated that it is the commission's responsibility to set a date for the elections and draw up regulations to ensure fair and transparent polls.
Maaytah underlined that the government's recent decisions to raise the prices of fuel derivatives and other commodities was not an easy step, pointing out that it was a necessary move in order to address the budget deficit.
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