The Director of Elections at the Jordanian Ministry of Interior Saad Shehab spoke at IFES on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. His talk focused on the reforms enacted to the Jordanian election law ahead of last November’s parliamentary elections. He also addressed the allocation of additional seats for women, securing interpreters at polling stations for persons with disabilities, and new procedures set in place to improve transparency and credibility—such as using serially numbered ballot box seals and implementing an electronic linkage system to check voter eligibility.

Mr. Shehab pointed out that though Jordan’s electoral law is by no means perfect, the international observers of the November elections had roundly praised the improvements made to the system. A questions and answer session followed the presentation. Participants asked about the future of reforms and the question of virtual sub-districting.

Mr. Shehab was in Washington, DC to receive IFES’ Patricia Hutar Award, which honors public servants who, through their work or activities, express a commitment to improved democratic practices. The award was presented to Mr. Shehab at a dinner that took place on Monday, March 21. For more information about the award, please see the press release.