Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s National Election Committee Sunday approved the rolls for the Federal National Council elections scheduled for October 3.
The rolls with the names of 224,279 Emiratis, who are eligible to vote in and contest in the election, will be published by on the election panel website (www.uaenec.ae) and its smart apps.
The voters in the Electoral College include 90,408 members from Abu Dhabi, 53,568 from Dubai, 31,766 from Sharjah, 6,090 from Ajman, 4,105 from Umm Al Quwain, 27,455 from Ras Al Khaimah, and 10,887 members from Fujairah.
Citizens can verify their names on the Electoral College of their respective emirate, searching either by Emirate ID Number or their name.
The Electoral College elects half the members of the council, while the rest are nominated by the Rulers of the emirates. The members of the Electoral College can contest for the seats set aside for their emirate if they meet the conditions laid down in the Constitution.
Dr. Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council and Chairman of the National Election Committee, said the announcement of the electoral rolls confirms the determination of the UAE to promote political participation in the country. “The country has adopted a gradual political approach to develop parliamentary experience, matching the unique cultural experience of the UAE community in all areas,” Dr. Gargash said.
Majority of the voters are below 40 years, representing 67 per cent of the Electoral College. They constitute 85 per cent of the members in Fujairah, followed by 67 per cent in Abu Dhabi and 70 per cent in Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. In Umm Al Quwain they make up 69 per cent of the members and in Dubai 59 per cent.
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Up to 52 per cent of members in the Electoral College are men while women make up the remaining 48 per cent.
Dr. Gargash said that increasing the number of members of the electoral rolls for the third election of the Federal National Council confirms the keenness of the wise leadership of the UAE to enable citizens to participate actively in the process of political development. It is in line with the empowerment programme launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to increase political participation, and make the Federal National Council a supportive element in the executive power in the country, Dr. Gargash added.
BY SAMIR SALAMA, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
