Special Features
Electoral College Expansion Marks UAE’s Commitment To Strengthening Political Participation: Dr Gargash
The National Election Committee (NEC) today announced the lists of Electoral College members from all seven emirates for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections scheduled for the 24th of September 2011. The lists will be published the Committee’s website tomorrow Monday July 11th, 2011.According to the lists, the Electoral College comprises 47,444 members from Abu Dhabi, 37,514 from Dubai, 13,937 from Sharjah, 3,920 from Ajman, 3,285 from Umm Al Quwain, 16,850 from Ras Al Khaimah, and 6,324 from Fujairah. NEC will now initiate meetings with the Electoral College members as part of the preparations for the elections.
His Excellency Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the NEC, said that the significant increase in the number of the Electoral College members in 2011 underlines the commitment of the UAE and its leadership to further promoting political participation in the UAE.
“Today’s announcement is a vital step in the preparations for the FNC elections in 2011. This demonstrates that the programme to promote political participation in the UAE and empower the FNC is proceeding in the right direction. It also shows that the UAE leadership is committed to strengthening political participation and developing it in tune with the local culture," he added.
His Excellency Dr Gargash said the UAE approach focuses on enhancing political awareness among citizens across all social segments and motivating them to choose their FNC representatives objectively and with due regard to public interest.
The Supreme Federal Council has issued Resolution No. 1 (2011), regarding amendment of some provisions of the Council’s Resolution No. 4 (2006), on revamping the methodology of electing representatives. The Presidential Decree No. 2 (2011) also amended the Presidential Decree No. 3 (2006) increasing the minimum number of Electoral College members in each emirate to 300 times the number of FNC seats from that emirate.
The NEC has posted the names of the Electoral College members on its website www.uaenec.ae. Citizens can check if their name is included in the Electoral College of the emirate they represent by visiting the NEC website. The website has advanced search options that enable to locate names by first name, last name, date of birth or the identification number issued by the Emirates Identity Authority.
Citizens can also check for their names through the NEC’s call centre 60056661 or visit the Commission’s offices operating in the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai World Trade Centre; Sharjah Cultural Palace; Ajman Executive Council General Secretariat; Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre – Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Fujairah Trade Centre and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in Umm Al Quwain.
The Federal National Council has 40 members, out of which eight each represent Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six each from Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, and four each from Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. The Electoral College of each emirate will elect half the members of the FNC from the respective emirate, while the Ruler of the Emirate will nominate the remaining half. The Electoral College members can nominate themselves as candidates in the emirate they represent, provided they meet the eligibility conditions set forth in the Constitution.
The NEC has announced a detailed timetable for the electoral process. Subsequent processes and procedures as per the timetable will be as follows:
• The registration of candidates will take place from August 14 to 17
• NEC will announce the preliminary list of candidates on August 20
• Objections against candidate applications can be filed from August 21 to 23, and NEC will give its ruling on such objections from August 24 to 25
• The final list of candidates will be announced on August 28
• Candidates can campaign from September 4 to 21
• Deadline for withdrawal of candidates is September 21
• Candidates remaining in the fray should submit the names of their election agents by September 21
• The elections will be held on September 24 across all emirates in the UAE and results will be announced on the same day after initial screening
• Appeals against any result should be filed the very next day, on September 25, and NEC will decide on the appeals on September 28
• The final list of winners will be announced on September 28, in case no by-election is required
• A by-election will be held on October 1, if any two of the top-placed candidates in an emirate have polled equal number of votes
• By-election results will be announced on October 1 after initial screening
• Appeals against the by-election results can be filed on October 2
• NEC will give its ruling on appeals against by-election results on October 5 and adopt the final list of winners on October 6
