The government vs. the elections

Is this policy media and planning? Or is it slapdash, incomprehensible nonsense? Jordan’s upcoming battle over the few days left before the legislative election is simple: conducting the elections at highest levels of fairness and transparency, and increasing the voter turnout so that the election achieves the objectives for which it was set. How may this be achieved? By encouraging the voters to go to the ballot boxes in the deeply-held belief that they are turning out for a different kind of election this time, with no vote-rigging, no interference and no green-light from state authorities or constituencies. The government is working singlehandedly at demolishing these noble goals by its unwarranted attacks on the citizens’ livelihoods, and by threatening fresh disasters after the elections. How? Two weeks ago, the government's machine went into gear to tease the citizenry by announcing the advent of millions arriving from the Gulf and the world to prop up the Jordanian budget. This, in addition to statements about the success of the government’s economic schemes and programmes relaxed Jordanians nerves after the recent panic-stricken months, during which they were told that collapse would be imminent if fuel prices are not put up. So they reluctantly swallowed the bitter pill of the price hike in the hope that things will get better. ordanians are now living on the hope that the gas cylinder price hike will be lifted, especially as some of the justifications given at the time have been eradicated, because Egyptian gas has returned to its original numbers. Of course, Egyptian gas has nothing to do with the propane cylinders used in homes and is relevant to electricity, but it is the same system and counts as state expenditure as officials and their statistics claim. However, it is the exact opposite that is happening now. The official machine has been put into gear in more than one location. This started with statements by the prime minister, followed by statements by the energy minister and the finance minister’s turn was next. They all came out to threaten voters that electricity and water rates will be raised after the elections, which clearly drives voters to avoid the polling boxes because calamity and ruination shall surely follow the vote. So why should they vote, and why go to the polls at all when it is in their best interests that the elections are not held and that the status quo persists? What policy, what nonsense and what strategy is this? The government knows full well that most voters feel obliged to go to the polls out of fear for the country and their future, but they are convinced neither by the elections law, most candidates, nor the hogwash peddled by most electoral lists. On top of all that, and instead of being encouraged to head to the polls, they are being scared off over what would happen after the elections. What the government is doing, to be precise, is cornering the candidates. What would a candidate say, for example, to a voter’s question over whether he would go along with the government’s plans to raise the electricity and water rates when he is sitting under the parliamentary dome? It is a policy of hostility between candidates and voters, a means of increasing the number of people opposed to the elections and fresh ammunition given to those boycotting, which they can use to shoot down the elections, the government and the state all at once. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.