jordan pulse -

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced on Tuesday the launch of the first phase of "Convince Me," a national awareness competition organized in partnership with Jordan's public and private universities.

The initiative falls under the "Ana Usharik" (I Participate) program, which the IEC implements across higher education institutions. According to an IEC statement, the competition is designed to engage university students and deepen their political awareness, ultimately encouraging broader participation in public life and political party activity.

The contest is part of a broader national effort to modernize the political system. Events will be held across the Kingdom’s northern, central, and southern regions to foster a culture of political engagement and emphasize citizens' role in public affairs.

Through the competition, the IEC aims to equip students with essential soft skills, including the art of persuasion, effective communication, and the ability to construct logical, evidence-based arguments. These competencies are intended to bolster students’ confidence and presence in public discourse.

The competition is structured in two stages. The first round will take place at the university level within the three main regions. Two winning teams from each region will then advance to the national finals to compete for the championship title.

The contest centers on several key thematic pillars, including the current Election Law, the role of national lists in forming effective parliamentary blocs, and the development of political party platforms. It also addresses the empowerment of youth and women in politics, the challenges of extremism and hate speech, the impact of misinformation, and the factors contributing to low political participation among university students.

Participation is open to students currently enrolled in the "I Participate" program. Each university is permitted to enter two teams of five students each, with teams required to a unique name and logo.

Scoring will be based on a multi-faceted criteria system, with a significant emphasis on public voting and the teams' ability to influence and shift the audience's convictions through persuasive rhetoric, advocacy, and logical debate.

//Petra// AF