Middle East News
Jordan's king dissolves lower house, orders early elections
Nov 23, 2009, 17:26 GMT
Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday issued a decree dissolving the lower house of parliament as of Tuesday, according to a royal court statement.
The monarch also issued another decree ordering early elections to be held for the election of a new chamber. No date has been set so far for the polls.
The dramatic move came against the background of criticism by the Islamic-led opposition and the press of the performance of the dissolved house, which was elected in November 2007. The four-year duration of the house was set naturally to expire in November 2011.
The election of the outgoing house took place amidst charges of election rigging and vote buying.
King Abdullah's step also coincided with recurrent calls by the opposition, the press and independent politicians for political reforms, foremost the amendment of the controversial election law.
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