King Abdullah II of Jordan ratified a law that will create an independent electoral commission, Jordan's state-run Petra news agency reported Monday (April 9th).

The new law, which was approved by both chambers of parliament Saturday evening, gives the commission broad powers and it will be independent of any government agency. Its members will report directly to the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Jordanian Royal Court.

According to the law, the commission will manage and supervise every phase of the electoral process. It will also supervise all other elections at the cabinet's direction, according to Jordanian law.

The king will nominate the commission's members.