New law to give Jordanian voters more power

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s prime minister said a new draft elections law will pave the way for promised political reforms and parliamentary elections this year.

Awn al-Khasawneh told reporters in the Jordanian capital on Monday that the law will also help prevent fraudulent voting practices.

The Jordanian cabinet approved the law Saturday and it now needs parliamentary approval.

The elections law is part of efforts by the king to implement democratic reforms following uprisings across the Arab world that toppled longtime governments.

Jordanian monarch King Abdullah said that eventually the prime minister will be democratically elected, rather than appointed, condition that was one of the key demands of protesters.

Earlier Monday, a royal decree was announced to set up an independent electoral commission to monitor polling.