Jordan vote turnout low amid anger over Syria

AMMAN: Jordan’s municipal elections drew a poor turnout Tuesday with the impact of a huge refugee influx from Syria on a struggling economy stoking voter resentment and apathy.
“After eight hours of voting, the turnout was 21 percent, and 500,000 people voted,” Ahed Ziadat, a spokesman for the municipal affairs ministry, said. “The turnout was low this year compared to 2007. Some institutions, like the armed forces and security forces, did not vote.”
In local polls in 2007, more than 50 percent of the registered electorate took part.
Polls opened on Tuesday at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and officially closed at 5 p.m. (14000 GMT).
In Amman, however, voting was extended by two hours, and polling stations also closed one hour late in several other regions.
Under the law, electoral officials in each governorate can independently extend voting hours if the need arises.