Sharjah: Sharjah is all set for its historic election to elect half the members of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC).
A total of 24,952 registered voters — 13,974 men and 11,158 women — are to use their right to franchise to elect 21 candidates for the House of 42 members.
The rest of the members will be chosen by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Voting will be held at nine polling centres across the emirate over the next four days — from January 28-31 — from 8am to 8pm.
The Supreme Committee of SCC said on Wednesday that it has completed all arrangements for the election being held under the slogan ‘Take Part in Decision-Making’.
The nine constituencies include Sharjah City, Dhaid, Khor Fakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, Hamriya, Bataeh, Maliha and Madam.
A total of 195 candidates (152 men and 43 women) above the age of 25 are contesting the election for 21 seats in the first of its kind elections in Sharjah. The members will be elected for a term of four years.
Dr Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Head of the Media Committee of the SCC elections said the counting of votes will commence on Sunday (January 31), the last day of voting, at Al Qasimia University, with the whole process telecast live on various television channels and media outlets of Sharjah Media Corporation.
The live transmission will continue throughout the night until the end of the counting and declaration of results.
Dr Al Midfa said that media centres have been set up at polling stations across the emirate with all the necessary communication facilities.
He reaffirmed the Electoral Committee’s keenness to ensure utmost transparency and accuracy at every stage and in all aspects of the electoral exercise.
“This is a celebration of democracy and this crowning moment has arrived after a journey of 16 long years and a lot of hard work,” said Dr Al Midfa.
The Sharjah Consultative Council was established in 1999 by the Ruler of Sharjah.
The success of the SCC poll process, he added, caps the successes and achievements of the emirate over the past several years and translates the spirit of the Council to aid the leadership in the task of governance and involve the people in the decision-making process.
Details about the SCC elections and voting process can be obtained by calling 80080000 or by visiting www.ccsharjah.gov.ae.
Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority will provide free buses to transport voters from various locations in Sharjah to the polling station at Sharjah Chess Club from 9am to 4pm and 11am to 6pm.
Buses will be available Al Shaab Club’s parking lot, Al Rahmania (in front of Sharjah Co-Op), Al Khan (Real Estate Registration Department), Al Tala’a (Al Mughaider Suburb Council) and Al Sowaihat (Children’s Centre).
