Press Release

The voting process commenced this morning, December 11, 2021, marking the first phase of the local elections. Voting began at 222 polling centers and 717 polling stations, starting at 7:00 AM in most locations, with a few opening between 7:00 and 7:15 AM. The opening process proceeded smoothly and calmly, with a low voter turnout in the early hours, which is expected to increase after 10:00 AM, given that today is an official public holiday. Observers from the Civic Committee for Election Monitoring were present at 150 polling centers across 120 locations to oversee the opening process. They reported general cooperation from the Central Elections Commission (CEC) staff, except for one polling center in Tuqu', where an observer was initially denied entry. This issue was resolved after intervention from the CEC’s main office. In some polling stations, such as those in Udala and Aqqaba, station managers refused to provide observers with information about the number of received ballot papers. Additionally, in Udala School, two security personnel entered the polling center armed, without being stopped by the polling staff. Furthermore, at a polling station in Beit Kahil, voters were seen entering with mobile phones and attempting to photograph their ballots. At Al-Istiqlal Basic School in Beit Kahil, polling staff were not confiscating voters’ mobile phones. Election campaigning continues outside most polling centers. The Civic Committee recommends that the CEC, in cooperation with security forces, take measures to prevent such activities to minimize potential conflicts among competing electoral lists. Moreover, with voter turnout expected to increase in the coming hours, the Civic Committee urges polling staff to strictly enforce health and safety protocols for both voters and election personnel. The Civic Committee for Election Monitoring calls upon all eligible voters to exercise their right to vote today while adhering to all necessary safety and precautionary measures.