• The lack of trust in deputies and political parties is one reason for abstention, and the state, along with all its institutions, must create the best conditions for holding transparent and fair elections.

With the attendance of 80 participants, the Al Quds Center for Political Studies, in coordination with the Bunat Al Yarmouk Association, organized a dialogue session titled '2024 Elections: Enhancing Political Participation and Reducing Abstention.' The session took place at the Ashrafiyeh Cultural Complex and featured journalist Nisreen Abu Salah and Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi, the director-general of the Al Quds Center for Political Studies.

In her remarks, Abu Salha emphasized the role of the media as the fourth power in influencing public opinion, particularly regarding the importance of participation. She noted that the media plays a crucial role in raising awareness within communities about the significance of political participation and voting. Furthermore, she stated that higher voter turnout grants greater legitimacy to the parliament.

On another note, Abu Salah addressed the platforms of political parties and candidates, emphasizing that these should lead to parliaments focused on achieving development. She pointed out that the new electoral law creates opportunities by allocating seats to political parties and increasing the number of seats designated for women. She highlighted the importance of empowering women and fostering mutual support among them to enhance their presence in decision-making positions.

On his part, Al Rantawi shed light on voter turnout, noting that participation in the Ashrafiyeh region is among the lowest across the Kingdom and urging more effective engagement in the elections. He emphasized that low levels of participation are not limited to elections but extend to all aspects of political involvement, including the activities of political parties. He pointed out the limited number of political party branches in the region, despite it being highly populated.

Regarding the causes of abstention, Al Rantawi mentioned security-related fears that are remnants of the martial law period. He explained that there are no longer valid reasons for these fears to lead to abstention from political engagement and participation. As for the lack of trust in the political process, Al Rantawi emphasized that the state and all its institutions face the challenge of organizing parliamentary elections with the highest levels of fairness and transparency. He noted that this is pivotal in rebuilding trust, especially in light of experiences from the past three decades.

Participants' remarks focused on the significance of enhancing the media's role in raising awareness about the importance of participation. They stressed the necessity for the media to be open to all political parties equally, allowing them to reach public opinion. Additionally, participants discussed the role of legislation and its influence on the composition of the House of Representatives and the level of participation.

Participants also highlighted the importance of elected representatives remaining engaged in their communities and the necessity of their commitment to their social environment after arriving at the parliament. They noted that one of the reasons for the low participation of women is the prevailing masculine culture and the tribal affiliations that dominate voters' behavior. They called for raising awareness among voters about the criteria and standards for selecting candidates and for combating vote-buying practices by encouraging a strong turnout at the ballot-boxes. Additionally, participants questioned the mechanisms for calculating winning lists at both the local and general levels.

The president of the Bunat Al Yarmouk Association, Ms. Rania Al Kouz, moderated the discussion. She highlighted the importance of the current situation in light of the legislative and constitutional changes that call for engagement and participation to support political modernization. She emphasized the significance of the collaborative efforts of various institutions, particularly the media, in raising awareness among citizens regarding the necessity of their participation and involvement in elections and political parties.