Middle East

Jordans elect new parliament in cautious move toward reform

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Election posters are on display in the capital, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. Officials say Jordan’s upcoming parliament election shows that the pro-Western monarchy is moving forward with democratic reforms, while critics argue that new voting rules have fallen short and won’t deliver change. In Tuesday’s vote, more than 1,200 candidates compete for 130 seats and the largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, participates for the first time in almost a decade. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (The Associated Press)

Election posters are on display in the capital, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. Officials say Jordan’s upcoming parliament election shows that the pro-Western monarchy is moving forward with democratic reforms, while critics argue that new voting rules have fallen short and won’t deliver change. In Tuesday’s vote, more than 1,200 candidates compete for 130 seats and the largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, participates for the first time in almost a decade.. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (The Associated Press)

A Jordanian woman casts her ballot in parliamentary elections at a polling station in Amman Jordan, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Jordanians are voting for a new parliament under revised rules meant to strengthen political parties -- an election seen as a small step toward democratic reform. More than 4 million residents of the pro-Western monarchy are eligible to vote for a 130-member parliament, with 27 seats reserved for women, Christians and ethnic minorities. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (The Associated Press)

Jordanians have begun voting for a new parliament under revised rules meant to strengthen political parties — an election seen as a small step toward democratic reform.

More than 4 million residents of the pro-Western monarchy were eligible to vote Tuesday for a 130-member parliament, with 27 seats reserved for women, Christians and ethnic minorities.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and were to close 12 hours later.

Jordan's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, ran for the first time since 2007, after boycotting elections in 2010 and 2013 over a "one man, one vote" system it complained was favoring King Abdullah II's traditional tribal supporters.

Under revised rules, voters choose candidates from lists in 23 electoral districts. Critics say reforms have fallen short and won't bring real change.