Jordan is pursuing political reforms to promote greater democratic accountability and transparency, political pluralism, and strengthen civil society. These efforts are expected to enhance Jordan’s long-term prospects for stability and prosperity.

Political reforms to date include the passage of the national decentralization and municipalities laws, amendments to the elections and political parties laws, the creation of a National Integrity Strategy to fight corruption and increase transparency, eased requirements for public demonstrations, restrictions on the jurisdiction of the State Security Court over civilians, the establishment of a Constitutional Court. The last parliamentary elections held in 2013 were judged “credible” by international observers. The 2016 Parliamentary elections will be the first after significant changes to laws affecting the electoral process, from the formation of political parties and candidate lists, to the establishment of constituent boundaries. The electoral cycle will continue in 2017 to cover municipal elections and elections for governorate councils; new bodies at the governorate level.