Jordanian elections today without Islamic Labor Party and Muslim Brotherhood

Parliamentary elections are being held today in Jordan; this will be the first parliament to be elected after Jordan signed the peace agreement with Israel.

The Islamic Labor Party and the Muslim Brotherhood Organization are boycotting this election as a result of the government's attempts to make the parliament's role a marginal one and the enactment of temporary laws limiting the freedoms in addition to accelerating the normalization process with Israel.

Jordan's King Hussein stated that the election will be just and that the Jordanian people will be able to choose the best candidates for the upcoming phase. He added that Jordan today is better off than it was 4 years ago.

Hussein called on all Jordanians to vote, declaring his full trust in the awareness of the Jordanians and that they will not let themselves, their country or their king down. Hussein also criticized the opposition powers that tries to depreciate the role of the parliament, which is something unacceptable, he said.

The Jordanian monarch confirmed anew his government's determination to legislate modern election laws which would stop all violations committed under the current laws.

The King also criticized the report of the US Human Rights Watch Group which stated that the restraints imposed on the press in Jordan since last May weakened the election and the freedom of expression.