As students in Jordan University cast their ballots in the student council election on Thursday, 19 April, 2018, a student-run initiative suitingly named “Raqeb”, which translates to observe or monitor, will keep watch on the elections.

The initiative is set to monitor and document the stages of the electoral process including the campaigning phase and the counting of votes in order to maintain the highest levels of integrity and transparency.

It will also follow up on the implementation of the electoral programs and the performance of the student council during its session.

The initiative is launched by a number of volunteers and operates under the support of the dean council’s approval.

Last Saturday the volunteers were trained by The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR). During the one-day workshop students were taught about their role as observers, the electoral requirements and standards of conduct and integrity.

Taha Maghareez, the lawyer who trained students participating in the initiative, stated that the centre will issue a detailed report on the elections after their completion.

According to “Raqeb” members, the initiative is comprised by students who are independent and unaffiliated with any of the groups running for the council in order to maintain neutrality and transparency.