The Senate on Thursday endorsed the municipalities draft law for 2011 as referred from the Lower House, with some amendments. During a session chaired by Senate President Taher Masri with the attendance of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, members of the Senate made suggestions over the recommendations presented by the Chamber’s Legal Committee on the law before endorsing it.
The Lower House endorsed the law in late July, raising the women’s quota and ensuring more independence and funds for municipalities. Under the law, inhabitants of any district with a population of 5,000 or more can request the establishment of their own municipality or disengagement from a merger with a larger municipality.
After the Senate’s endorsement, the law is due to be sent back to the Lower House to approve the amendments made before it is forwarded to the King and published in the Official Gazette. If the deputies do not approve the changes made by the senators, it is sent back to the Senate and if the Upper House insists on its amendments, a joint session is held where decisions are taken by a two-thirds majority.
During a meeting with chief editors of local dailies on Wednesday, Bakhit said authorities need 90 days to prepare for the municipal elections after the law goes into effect.
During a ceremony, where the King received the recommendations of the Royal Committee on Constitutional Review, His Majesty highlighted the Municipalities Law as a component of the legislative structure required for “an institutional reform process that ensures an engagement of the grassroots, political parties and unions, Parliament and government that lives up to national ambitions and expectations”.
Full Article: Senate endorses draft municipalities law | Jordan Times.
