Abu Dhabi: Scores of the 341 candidates running in the Federal National Council (FNC) elections started their campaigns across the UAE yesterday (Tuesday), bidding to win one of the 20 seats available.
The other 20 seats of the UAE’s unicameral house will be filled by Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.
The hopefuls were promoting their credentials through billboard and newspaper advertising and press conferences, with many of them embracing the trend by using social media networks including Facebook and Twitter.
The campaigning period runs up to September 30, followed by the elections on October 3.
The preliminary results are expected to be announced on October 3, while the final list of winners will be declared on October 11, if no election run-offs are required.
With a simple but clever tagline plastered across a giant billboard displayed at both roadsides of Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Hamad Bin Salem Bin Kardous Al Ameri’s message for his constituents is ‘Hand in Hand for the Emirates of Glories’.
Al Ameri also placed a full-page advertisement in a local daily featuring a big portrait, his credentials and manifesto.
He said his platform was focused on social contribution to motivate citizens for the development of society.
The list of candidates consists of 341 Emiratis, of whom 76 are women.
This is down from 468 candidates and 85 women for the second election in 2011, of which 85 were women, and 452 candidates for the first election in 2006, of which 63 were women.
The National Election Committee (NEC) said candidates cannot spend more than Dh2 million on their campaigns and must refrain from using official state symbols.
Marwan Bin Galita, a candidate from Dubai, said in a front-page newspaper advertisement that he will be an advocate of national issues for citizens to meet their demands. “Citizen is first and foremost,” Bin Galita motto goes.
Inspired by the Bedouin life and hunting of deer, Hamad Ahmad Al Rahoumi, a candidate from Dubai, said in a relatively small but front-page advertisement in a local newspaper: “Moving persons or animals can be trailed by their tracks sought votes of the electorate “to stay in the course of achievements”. He did not give any promises to his constituents, but said he will meet them on a monthly basis if he wins a seat in the council.
The number of eligible voters was raised this time to about 224,000 from around 135,000 during the second poll in 2011. Women account for 48 per cent of the electorate.
The National Election Committee said the election campaign opens the way for the people to get to know those seeking election, and to get to know their ideas, and at the same time increase the awareness of the new generation, motivating them to know the FNC and its importance in the country.
The committee said candidates can announce their agenda for the elections based on the code of conduct only, stressing that the rules prohibit campaigning on religious, sectarian or tribal lines. Candidates also must declare the source of their campaign finances.
Making slanderous comments towards other candidates with the aim of undermining their reputation is strictly prohibited as these elections are meant to remain civilised. Similarly, nominees must prove their eligibility to the members of the public on why they deserve their votes instead of demeaning others to move forward.
While donations can be given to nominees towards their campaigns, the finances must come from private Emirati citizens as opposed to the government, federal or international entities.
Campaigning will end on September 30 at 2.30pm, after which a period of ‘electoral silence’ will begin until the polling date.
Candidates need not remove their public advertisements when the electoral silence starts, although they cannot conduct any further campaigning activities. Additionally, placing promotional content on any moving bodies such as vehicles and motorcycles is also not allowed.
Using speakers to broadcast election-related material in public areas is banned and giving out posters in malls as well as sending out mass messages to mobile phone users, which will either reach competing candidates or individuals not on the electorate.
Candidates are also warned against making unrealistic and exaggerated promises, as this will adversely impact their credibility.
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