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Jordan votes in municipal polls Jordan election marred by boycott
(about 2 hours later)
Municipal elections have begun in Jordan, for the first time under new legislation guaranteeing a quota for women mayors and local councillors. Jordan's main Islamist opposition party has withdrawn from municipal elections, accusing the government of fraud.
Almost 2m people have registered to vote, a figure described as "unprecedented" by the government. Several hours after polls opened, the Islamic Action Front said it would not take part in what it called a "farce".
Numbers of young people voting are expected to increase after the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18. Earlier the IAF accused the authorities of bussing security force personnel to seats its candidates were contesting.
Correspondents say the polls are a test of support for the Islamist opposition ahead of parliamentary elections. The desert kingdom is holding its first polls for city mayors, all of whom were previously appointed by the monarch, and municipal council members.
The Islamic Action Front has accused the authorities of trying to influence the vote by ferrying security force personnel to some polling stations. Correspondents say the Islamists' move throws into turmoil a vote that the government had portrayed as part of a democratic reform package.
"Hundreds of military personnel are being bussed from their bases to voting centres, where we have candidates, carrying ballots in favour of certain candidates," the IAF said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency. "We can no longer take part in this farce and we announce the withdrawal of all our candidates from all governorates," the IAF said in a statement.
Only 780,000 people were registered to vote Jordan's last municipal polls in 2003. Amman exemption
Women officials are guaranteed to win at least 20% of positions. Government officials described the IAF move as "illegal" because election rules specify when it is legitimate to withdraw candidates.
The elections are the first to take place under new legislation that guarantees at least 20% of positions to women candidates.
Previously, half of all municipal council seats were appointed by the king and there was no quota system.
Under the latest reforms all councils are elected, apart from in the capital - where correspondents says a strong IAF showing had been expected.
Voters will elect half of Amman's 68-member municipal council, with the remaining 34 members and the mayor appointed by the king, as under the old system.
Almost 2m people had registered to vote, a figure described as "unprecedented" by the government.
Participation by young people had expected to increase after the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18.