Jordanian election officials start counting votes in Amman on Wednesday. NEW: Jordan's King Abdullah says voter participation surpassed expectations The election was rigged and not representative, an opposition official says Read more: Jordan deploys security forces on eve of 'landmark' elections Nimer al-Assaf, deputy secretary general of the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, told CNN the election "was as expected -- just a mere copy of the parliament that was dissolved." He disputed the official turnout numbers, but added, "even if they were true, still only one-third of Jordanians participated, so it's not really representative." King Abdullah, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Friday, challenged the criticisms made by the Muslim Brotherhood. At the beginning, the doubters out there and the opposition didn't think anyone would register to vote. We had an unprecedented registration, 70%, which is much higher than any other country in the Middle East," he said. Again, the turnout of 56.6% (announced) yesterday was way beyond anybody's expectations. These figures indicate the country's leaders and the people have "moved on," Abdullah said. He suggested that the Muslim Brotherhood should do the same, in order to be part of an inclusive political future. Buying of votes He said his mission's estimate of turnout was as high as 60%, broadly in line with that of the IEC. "Our criticism is that the elections were conducted within a weak legal framework and that the system didn't lead itself to an even outcome," he said. Read more: A lot at stake for Jordan in an election of firsts However, an issue to be addressed is that of illegal campaigning outside polling centers, Martin said. CNN reporters witnessed many people passing out fliers, pamphlets and cards promoting specific candidates outside polling stations. Another observer group, the International Republican Institute, said its teams -- deployed at more than 175 polling stations -- saw illegal campaigning "outside the majority" it visited. The institute said it had also heard numerous allegations of vote-buying on election day, despite improved enforcement of rules banning this in the run-up to the vote. At least two candidates, including Ahmed Safadi, a major contender, were arrested for vote-buying the day before polling. They were released on bail. Al-Assaf from the Islamic Action Front, Jordan's largest opposition group, said: "The parliament will be marked as a parliament that bought votes and spent time in jail. The people won't trust them. It's best to wait for a few days. We will see there was a lot of rigging of these elections. The international observer missions say that the newly implemented election law is a big improvement on the past, but they say it should be seen only as the beginning of the reform process. Political strain Wednesday's vote is the 17th time Jordan has gone to the polls to elect a parliament since becoming a nation in 1946, but it was the first time that an independent election commission oversaw polling. Read more: Arab Spring knocking at Jordan's door Read more: Thousands rally for political change in Jordan