Dubai: Preparations for the Federal National Council Elections 2015 have begun with the first meeting of Emirates Committees held in Dubai.
Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Elections Committee, chaired the first meeting attended by members of the Emirates Committees.
Gargash stressed the success of the electoral process is a shared responsibility that offers the opportunity for everyone to contribute to the promotion of parliamentary life in the UAE. Emirates Committees were formed last month in each emirate to assist in the preparations for the FNC elections.
The formation of the Emirates Committees for the 2015 elections will facilitate the successful implementation of the elections and reflect positively on the development of the country’s electoral process, Dr Gargash said.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had called for proceeding with the expansion of the political participation in line with the directives of his speech to the Federal National Council marking the conclusion of its 14th legislative chapter last February.
The first stage of this programme was launched in 2006, implementing the first step of electing half the members of the FNC by electing bodies created in each governorate and responding to the resolution issued by the Federation’s Supreme Council No (4) for 2006.
A parliamentary election was held in the UAE on September 24, 2011, to elect half the members of the FNC’s 15th Chapter and to appoint the other half of the members.
The electoral college expanded from around 6,000 members in 2006 to 129,274 in the planned elections, which were the second parliamentary elections held in the country.
The 2011 parliamentary elections had an expanded electoral college constituting 129,274 members, made up of 46 per cent females and 54 per cent males, of which 35 per cent were younger than 30 years.
The speech delivered by Shaikh Khalifa on the importance of the Federal National Council (FNC) elections has motivated everyone involved in the electoral process to seek further progress and achievement.
Shaikh Khalifa’s call to his people for broad participation in the FNC elections reflects the leadership’s commitment to empower the council and enhance political participation.
The consultative approach followed by the UAE leadership since its inception, as outlined by Shaikh Khalifa, has never been one necessitated by emergencies or regional and international developments. It is an original approach rooted in the political tradition of the UAE.
The empowerment of the Federal National Council, in line with His Highness’s speech in 2005, was part of this approach.
Friday is the FNC’s 43rd anniversary. On this day in 1972, the FNC was established as the fourth of the five federal authorities stipulated in the Constitution, which include: the Supreme Council of the Federation, President and Vice President of the Federation, Cabinet of the Federation, Federal National Council and Federal Judiciary.
The FNC held its first session on February 12, 1972, in line with the vision of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who set through his wisdom the foundations of the country.
Through the exercise of its constitutional powers, the FNC discussed various national issues and passed legislations, pushed for modernisation and development to keep pace with the progress witnessed by the state in various sectors; it also made important recommendations during the discussion of public issues and directed inquiries to government representatives in addition to strengthening the political participation of citizens, enabling them to participate in the march of development taking place in the state.
The FNC also was advised regarding 704 agreements and treaties signed by the government. The Council also approved 549 law bills and discussed 299 general topics related to important national issues.
The FNC members also directed 657 inquiries to different government representatives and entities while issuing recommendations regarding different issues and reflecting the depth of its partnership in the country’s development march.
