Pro-government forces grab majority in Jordan vote

At least seventy-four progressive politicians and businessmen new to Jordanian politics also earned a place in parliament.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jordan elections voters line up (photo credit: Associated Press)
Jordan elections voters line up
(photo credit: Associated Press)
AMMAN, Jordan  — Official preliminary election results show ex-lawmakers and Cabinet ministers sweeping a third of Jordan's new 120-seat parliament in an election marred by unrest and an Islamist opposition boycott.

Jordan's election commission released the figures Wednesday. A full official tally was expected later in the day.RELATED:
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The preliminary results from Tuesday's vote show 34 former deputies, including at least 20 Cabinet officials and ex-Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez, won seats.
At least 74 progressive politicians and businessmen new to Jordanian politics also earned a spot in parliament. Many of those winners appeared to be government loyalists.The election is the fourth under King Abdullah II, a key US ally who ascended to the throne in 1999 vowing to transform his desert Arab kingdom into a model democracy in the Muslim world.