Greater Amman Municipality sets Terms and Conditions for Elections Publicity

The Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), Omar Maani recently approved the terms and conditions of publicity for the upcoming parliament elections of 2010 in accordance with item (6) of paragraph (3) of the instructions of licensing advertising modes No. 1 for the year 2006.

The instructions stressed that no aspect of elections publicity, whatsoever, is to be allowed before the Ministry of Interior announces the kick off the elections campaign, and only upon prior approval from GAM (Vocation and Advertising Licensing Department). Any violations to the above shall be treated by removing any banners at the nominee's expenses, in addition to 25% administrative expenses.

According to the Director of Vocations and Advertising Licensing Department, Engineer Faleh Al-Shammari, the instructions banned any usage of posters, and outlined the technical specifications of the banners, i.e to be made of light weight material (no wood or metal) that should not be hazardous to citizens general safety, and to be precisely fixed on walls and posts with consideration to general safety.

He said that "the instructions dictated that every elections nominee should pay 4000 JOD's securities to guarantee that no violation is committed against the elections publicity instructions".

The Director further added that the paid amount is to be settled at GAM's Department of Finance upon submitting a financial clearance request, and signing an undertaking for this particular purpose, provided that the amount is to be repaid upon the conclusion of the campaign and if the nominee met all requirements.

The instructions would allow nominees to post their banners on squares, intersections and traffic lights. In addition, nominees are allowed to post their pictures, names and elections data, provided that they do not hinder the pedestrian traffic flow, or conceal the sight before the vehicles and traffic lights, and that their height should not exceeding 1.5 meters and 1 meter width double faced in a stand form.

It was also stipulated that no sign or banner should be fixed on buildings in a way that distorts or conceals their architectural elements, and that these building sites banners should not exceed 5 meters, provided that the distance between the bottom of the banner and the street level should not be less than 4.5 meters, with the exception of those posted over streets or those with no traffic beneath them.

In addition, the instructions prevented any illuminated banner or that which conceals sight of an already licensed banner.

The instructions stressed that every nominee is to remove his or her banners in a period, not exceeding two weeks from the end of elections, and subsequently he or she shall be entitled to be repaid securities in cash amount or check with the approval of the City Deputy Manager for Services, following a physical inspection asserting that he or she has met all requirements.

Should the nominee violate the terms and conditions, the securities amount is to be confiscated in accordance with his or her signed undertaking.

GAM calls on all nominees to comply with the terms and conditions, and any additional terms set by the Ministry of Interior / the Capital Governorate in regard to the elections campaign.

Engineer Al-Shammari pointed out that there will be GAM field troupes to see if the instructions are complied with throughout the elections campaign.

It is worth mentioning that the elections law restricts any nominee from using any mode of publicity in the public streets or buildings occupied by the government ministries, departments, or official instructions. Nominees are also restricted from using walls, telephone or electricity posts, and public properties, unless otherwise licensed by GAM Council, and the respective municipal councils.