Abu Dhabi: The majority of the pool of voters for the upcoming Federal National Council elections set for October 3, are below the age of 40, representing 67 per cent of the electoral rolls that was announced Sunday.
The electoral rolls, including 224 Emiratis eligible to vote in and run for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections, scheduled for October 3, was approved by the National Election Committee.
Up to 52 per cent of members in the electoral rolls are men while women make up the remaining 48 per cent. The male-female ratio in each of the emirates is as follows: Abu Dhabi 47 per cent men and 53 per cent women; Dubai 49 per cent men and 51 per cent women; Sharjah 53 per cent men and 47 per cent women; Ajman 54 per cent men and 46 per cent women; Umm Al Quwain 60 per cent men and 40 per cent women; Ras Al Khaimah 65 per cent men and 35 per cent women; and Fujairah 64 per cent men and 36 per cent women.
The pool of voters 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 from Fujairah.
The rolls will be published by the National Election Committee on Monday on its website (www.uaenec.ae) and its smart app (National Election Committee) available on Apple Store and Google Play.
Citizens can verify their names on the Electoral College of their respective emirate, searching either by Emirate ID number or their full name as mentioned on the ID or the first three segments of their name.
Citizens can also check their names by contacting the NEC call centre on 600500005 which works during Ramadan from 9am to 4pm and 9pm to 12 midnight. They can also visit the Emirates Committees offices in the various emirates.
The Emirates Committee office in Abu Dhabi is situated in the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in the Corniche area, while the Dubai office is in the Dubai World Trade Centre. In Sharjah, the Executive Council is based in the office of the Advisory Council of the emirate of Sharjah, while in Ajman it is based in Ajman Museum — Humaid Bin Rashid Hall. The Umm Al Quwain office of the committee is in the office of the Executive Council of the emirate while in Fujairah it is in the Fujairah Chamber of Industry and Commerce building. The Ras Al Khaimah office is in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development building.
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 further promote political participation in the country. “The country has adopted a gradual political approach to develop the parliamentary experience, matching the unique cultural experience of the UAE community in all areas,” Dr Gargash said.
Dr Gargash pointed out that the announcement of the rolls is part of the major efforts taken by the National Election Committee to provide all facilities to contribute to the success of the electoral process. “It is also a step towards ensuring that the Federal National Council experience is more representative and closer to the issues and concerns of the citizens. The NEC is keen to ensure the selection of active members who are able to reverse the societal issues thoroughly and transparently and find effective and appropriate solutions,” Dr Gargash said.
Dr Gargash explained 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 promote political participation, and make the Federal National Council a supportive element in the executive power in the country, Dr Gargash added.
The Electoral College elects half the members of the Federal National Council, while the remaining half is nominated by the Rulers of the respective emirates. The members of the Electoral College can nominate themselves for the seats set aside for the emirate to which they belong if they meet the conditions laid down in the Constitution.
The Supreme Council of the Union issued in 2011 Resolution No 1 for the year 2011 amending some provisions of the Federal Supreme Council Resolution No 4 of 2006 on determining the method of selecting the UAE representatives of the Federal National Council, and issued the Decision of President of the State No 2 for the year 2011 amending Decision of President of the State No 3 for the Year 2006 on determining the method of selecting the UAE representatives of the Federal National Council.
The amendments have provided for increasing the number of members of the Electoral College to a minimum of 300 times the number allocated to the seats of the emirate. Possibilities exist for major expansion of the Electoral College considering that the amendments have set no maximum limits for the number of members.
