Jordanian Cabinet approves municipal and Greater Amman Council elections

The Jordanian Cabinet approved elections for municipal councils and the Greater Amman Council during a session held on November 15, 2026. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired the session where officials finalized the decision to proceed with these local government elections. The formal decision regarding the election schedule will be published in the Official Gazette.

Legal framework for elections

The decision to hold these elections is based on specific existing legislation. The Cabinet acted in accordance with Article 49 of Local Administration Law No. 16 of 2026. Additionally, the move follows Article 6 of the Greater Amman Municipality Law and its amendments No. 18 of 2021. These legal provisions provide the necessary authority for the government to organize local administrative contests.

The Independent Election Commission holds the responsibility for determining the specific polling date for the upcoming elections. While the Cabinet has approved the principle of holding the elections, the commission will manage the logistical timeline for the voting process. This decision follows legal requirements intended to ensure the integrity of voter lists and the transparency of the electoral process.

New candidacy and appeal regulations

During the same session, the Cabinet approved the 2026 regulations for municipal council candidacy, election procedures, and electoral appeals. These new regulations are designed to establish a comprehensive procedural framework for managing the entire municipal election cycle. The framework covers several critical stages of the democratic process, including the preparation of voter lists, the candidacy registration period, the voting process itself, and the counting of ballots.

The 2026 regulations also include specific mechanisms for handling objections and electoral appeals. To ensure legal oversight, the regulations designate the specific courts that will be responsible for reviewing such appeals. This structure aims to provide a clear path for candidates or voters to challenge election outcomes or procedural issues through the judicial system.

The implementation of these regulations ensures that the municipal and Greater Amman Council elections follow a standardized and legally binding procedure. By establishing clear rules for candidacy and results announcement, the government seeks to maintain organized local administration through the upcoming electoral cycle.

Glossary

• Official Gazette — The Official Gazette is a publication where acts attain the force of law according to Article 93.2 of the Constitution. It serves as a medium through which the Government publishes documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• Independent Election Commission — The Independent Election Commission is an entity established to manage the electoral process. It holds the responsibility for determining the specific polling date for upcoming elections.