A total of 98 Emiratis filed their candidacy for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections on the last day of registration of application, taking the total figure up to 555, including 200 from women in five days.
On Thursday, Abu Dhabi received 27 applications, Dubai 26, Sharjah 18, and Ajman saw six. While no applications were registered in Umm Al Quwain on the fifth day, Ras Al Khaimah recorded 14 applications and Fujairah saw seven.
The number of applications submitted by women on the fifth day amounted to 13 in Abu Dhabi, 12 in Dubai, eight in Sharjah, and one in Ajman. Ras Al Khaimah recorded four and Fujairah saw two, taking the total number of female applications to 40 on the last day.
The total number of applications in Abu Dhabi amounted to 155, while Dubai saw 98, and Sharjah 127. Ajman received 32 applications, Umm Al Quwain had 23, Ras Al Khaimah 65, and Fujairah 55.
The registration of candidates for the FNC elections went on for five days until Thursday, amid a large turnout of women and youth to submit applications, in addition to the significant presence of the people of determination.
According to FNC 2019 election schedule, the National Election Committee (NEC) will announce the preliminary list of candidates on August 25, after which it will open the door for filing appeals against candidates from August 26 to 28. The commission will respond to appeals on September 1. The final list of candidates will be announced on September 3, and the campaigning will begin on September 8, and go on for 27 days.
Rashed Al Ghafli, vice-chairman of the Abu Dhabi FNC Elections Committee, affirmed that the impressive response to the elections indicates a growing sense of political awareness compared to the previous elections. "The Abu Dhabi committee witnessed a significant turnout from Emirati women - a new direct reflection of the women's empowerment drive championed under the country's wise leadership. The committee will continue its work in the coming period in cooperation and coordination with the NEC." - Wam
