Amman, Aug. 9 (Petra) – The Cabinet on Sunday approved the
justifications for the draft amendment to the Independent Election
Commission Law of 2026, paving the way for its referral to the
Legislation and Opinion Bureau for the necessary procedures.

The proposed amendments aim to align the law with developments under
the political modernisation process and enhance the Commission’s
ability to exercise its constitutional and legal powers.

They clarify the scheduling of voting dates for municipal and other
elections assigned to the Commission, regulate the cancellation or
postponement of voting at polling and counting centres when
circumstances affect the integrity of the electoral process and
update the Commission’s powers in line with the Political Parties
Law.

The amendments expand monitoring to include digital campaign tools
and update regulations governing Commission employees. Employees will
be barred from joining political parties during their service.

Employees seeking to run in elections administered or supervised by
the Commission must take unpaid leave 90 days before the election. If
elected, they will be deemed to have resigned.

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Sector Human Resources
Management Bylaw of 2026 concerning unpaid leave.

Under the amendments, the required period of actual service for
unpaid leave will be reduced from five to three years, with no limit
on its duration subject to approval by the relevant authority.

The amendments remove the requirement for employees to return to
service within the last five years to qualify for a pension and
standardise study leave at five years, whether inside or outside the
Kingdom.

Employees on unpaid leave will be allowed to continue participating
in social security, while government institutions will be required to
fill vacancies resulting from unpaid leave.

Employees must notify their departments of their intention to return
one year in advance.

The amendments apply to employees currently on unpaid leave under the
existing bylaw as well as those granted leave under the amended
bylaw.

The Cabinet approved the 2026 Regulations for the Practice of the
Legal Accounting Profession to keep pace with international
accounting and auditing standards and ensure the independence and
impartiality of certified public accountants.

Under the new regulations, government employees in key accounting and
auditing positions, as well as employees of government-owned
companies and entities regulated by the Central Bank and Securities
Commission, may apply for professional licenses if they have at least
six years of experience.

Applicants must complete a one-year full-time training program under
the supervision of a practicing certified public accountant and pass
the required licensing examination.

//Petra// AK