Complaints of election campaign ads across Jordan

No street in Amman or Jordan’s governorates has escaped the surge of election advertising, with 1,651 candidates vying to get into the spotlight.

The election advertising scene is notably congested due to individual candidates from party lists and the dual promotion of local lists and their members. This has resulted in a high density of advertising that is troubling for drivers.

Wafa'i Massis, head of the Jordanian Association for Road Accidents Prevention, notes that traffic regulations prohibit such advertising practices because they create visual clutter that distracts drivers and impedes their movement.

Massis told Roya that the placement of ads at numerous intersections and roundabouts directly contributes to visual distraction and obstructs drivers' views, with some ads even falling onto the road.

Politically, Amr Al-Nawaisah, Executive Director at the Life - Rased Center, said out that individual-focused campaign advertising in general electoral districts overshadows the political project advocating for collective and bloc-based work.

Al-Nawaisah told Roya that when voters go to the polls and choose a general list, they are voting for a party rather than individuals. He urges parties to focus on collective rather than individual advertising.

Al-Nawaisah also noted that while the volume of campaign advertising is comparable to previous years, there have been some violations related to placing ads on electrical poles and traffic lights. He calls for their removal by the Greater Amman Municipality and local councils.

Experts are advocating for a shift to digital tools for election advertising, suggesting that digital methods, such as video content, offer greater flexibility and reach.

Social media is abuzz with complaints from drivers about what they describe as excessive election advertising on roads and in high-traffic areas.

The Independent Election Commission reported 300 advertising violations on August 5 across the electoral districts in the kingdom.

The violations mainly involve placing ads and candidate posters in unauthorized locations, obstructing vehicle traffic on public roads and pedestrian movement on sidewalks. The Commission’s field teams have taken immediate action to address these violations, including the removal of illegal ads from the streets.

According to Article (20), Paragraph (A) of the Electoral Law No. 4 of 2022, election advertising is permitted according to the law, starting from the acceptance of the nomination application until 24 hours before the polling day.