Amman, April 5 (Petra) – The government on Sunday discussed the draft Local Administration Law during a meeting with the Azm Party parliamentary bloc, attended by Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri and several ministers.

Masri said that the draft law aims to strengthen municipal governance, improve service delivery, enhance financial discipline and expand oversight and accountability, adding that municipalities provide around 70% of services to Jordanians.

The draft maintains the current election system, with mayors and council members elected separately and increases women’s representation in municipal councils to 30%, alongside measures to boost youth participation.

Masri said that the ministry’s role would remain supervisory and regulatory, with a focus on digitalisation to improve efficiency and control spending. He added that the government is open to proposals to further refine the legislation.

Minister of Youth Raed Adwan said the draft supports decentralisation and aims to broaden representation in governorate councils, enhance oversight and align development projects with local needs.

Head of the Azm Party bloc MP Walid Masri welcomed the dialogue, attaching importance to governance, transparency and simplifying municipal procedures. Bloc members called for stronger oversight, greater community involvement and measures to boost voter participation.

//Petra// AK
05/04/2026 18:56:35