1929 Transjordanian general election

1929 Transjordanian general election

2 April 1929 (1929-04-02)

Elections hall on 2 April 1929

General elections were held in Transjordan on 2 April 1929, the first in the country's history.^[1]

Background

Following the preparation of electoral laws and a draft constitution by the Jordanian authorities in 1923, the British government declared an intention to recognise the independence of the country and prepare a treaty.^[1] However, the treaty was not signed until 20 February 1928.^[1]

Electoral system

The 1928 basic law provided for a unicameral Legislative Council. The 16 elected members were joined by the six-member cabinet, which included the Prime Minister.^[1] The term length was set at three years.^[1]

Results

The sixteen elected members were:^[1]

• Najeeb al-Shraideh
• Abdallah al-Kulayb
• Oqla Mohammad al-Nsuir
• Najeeb Abu al-Sha'ar
• Sa`id al-Mufti
• Ala'a al-Dien Touqan
• Shams al-Dien Sami
• Saeed al-Saleepi
• Mohammad al-Ensi
• Najeeb al-Ibrahim
• Ata Allah a-Shemat
• Refefan al-Majali
• Odeh al-Qsous
• Saleh al-Oran
• Hamad Bin Jazi
• Methqal al-Fayez

After being appointed Director of Antiquities, Ala'a al-Dien Touqan resigned from the council. In a by-election held on 14 November 1929, Nadmi Abd Al-Hadi was elected to replace him.^[1]

Aftermath

Hassan Khalid Abu al-huda remained Prime Minister, and joined the Council along with the ministers Reda Tawfiq, Hussam al-Dien Jaar Allah, Aref al-Aref, Abd al-Rahman Ghareeb and Alin Karkbried.^[1] On 17 October 1929 al-Huda formed a new government, which included Ibrahim Hashem, Tawfik Abu al-Huda, Ala'a al-Dien Touqan, Odeh al-Qsous and Sa`id al-Mufti.^[1]

The council was dissolved on 9 January 1931 after rejecting the budget annex.^[1] Early elections were held on 10 June.^[1]

References

1. Parliamentary Life during the Emirate Era (1923-1946) Parliament of Jordan