Jordan vote turnout low amid anger over Syria war impact

Jordan's municipal elections drew a poor turnout Tuesday with the impact of a huge refugee influx from neighboring Syria on a struggling economy stoking voter resentment and apathy.

Interior Minister Hussein Majali expected a voter turnout of around 30 percent.

"The final results will not be frustrating. These are municipal elections and it is normal that people would be less interested in them," Majali told reporters.

Polls opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) and officially closed at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT).

In Amman, however, voting was extended by two hours, and polling stations also closed one hour late in several other regions.

Under the law, electoral officials in each governorate can independently extend voting hours if the need arises.

Earlier, Ahed Ziadat, a spokesperson for the municipal affairs ministry, said that "after eight hours of voting the turnout was 21 percent, and 500,000 people voted."

"The turnout was low this year compared to 2007. Some institutions, like the armed forces and security forces, did not vote."

In 2007, more than 50 percent of the registered electorate took part.

"Maybe the general mood and regional circumstances are the reason [behind the poor turnout]," Minister of Municipal Affairs Walid Masri said.