​BY JT

Student Union Council elections at The University of Jordan have officially wrapped, marking the first elections since 2019. This election came after drastic political reform in Jordan started with the formation of the Royal Committee, and the enactment of the 2022 elections law, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

At the university level, there were 7 political groups, over 92 student candidates and 23,091 votes cast. In total, students were excited to participate after the 5 year hiatus, with the election hosting a 52.5 per cent participation rate, an increase from the last elections rate of 45 per cent.

Across the university and faculty unions, there were 685 nominated male and female students, including 416 male and 269 female students. Among the 269 women was student Aseel Tawarneh, who secured a historic win. She became the first woman to secure a seat on the Student Union Faculty of Law since its establishment in 1976.

Tarawneh stated that women’s participation in student unions is essential for creating a more representative and balanced university environment. She expressed her hope that this achievement would encourage more women, particularly in the Faculty of Law, to participate in elections, student affairs and student activities as a whole, according to the statement.

She further emphasised that there has been a shift towards a better university environment that supports women’s involvement in electoral and political activities within the university.

The call for continued focus on women’s participation in the student union and university politics broadly are felt by certain students as well. Student Shahd Adwan, who led the candidates for the “Mustaqbil Lana”, expressed that there are barriers present around women’s participation in the elections at the university level, the statement said.

“Regarding the role of women in the university and their participation, which faces significant difficulties and discrimination, more than 60 per cent of the university’s population is female. However, their participation is still timid, and there is no balance. There is still a lack of acceptance and difficulty in female candidates running,” Adwan said.

She remarked that the “Mustaqbil Lana” ballot, was the first list at the University of Jordan led by a female candidate and expressed how important the inclusion in students of different tribal, religious, and ethnic backgrounds is, the statement said.