Emirates ID card mandatory for citizens to exercise franchise

Abu Dhabi: More than 129,000 Emiratis will cast their votes on September 24 to elect half of the 40-member Federal National Council (FNC), officials said yesterday.

Electoral rolls for the second elections to the council having 129,274 citizens will be announced tomorrow.

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee (NEC), said the significant increase in the number of the Electoral College members in 2011 underlines the commitment of the UAE and its leadership to further promoting political participation in the UAE.

"Today's announcement is a vital step in the preparations for the FNC elections in 2011. This demonstrates that the programme to promote political participation in the UAE and empower the FNC is proceeding in the right direction. It also shows that the UAE leadership is committed to strengthening political participation and developing it in tune with the local culture," he added.

The polls will elect 20 representatives of the council, while the other half will be appointed by the nation's Rulers. The process of filing nominations for the elections will begin on August 14 and will continue for three days.

Polling stations

Registration of nominations will be undertaken at 13 to 14 polling stations across the country, compared to seven in 2006.

Enfranchised Emiratis have increased around 20 times compared to the 6,595 people who voted in 2006.

Voters must have an Emirates Identity card to take part in the upcoming FNC elections. The card, which is equipped with a chip will be used for the first time to ensure the identity of the holder.

E-voting will be used to ensure a safe, effective and convenient election process, said Dr Ali Al Khouri, director-general of the Emirates Identity Authority and member of the NEC.

Out of the 129,274 citizens, 47,444 are from Abu Dhabi, 37,514 from Dubai, 13,937 from Sharjah, 3,920 from Ajman, 3,285 from Umm Al Quwain, 16,850 from Ras Al Khaimah, and 6,324 from Fujairah. NEC will now initiate meetings with the Electoral College members as part of the preparations for the elections.

Dr Gargash said the UAE approach focuses on enhancing political awareness among citizens across all social segments and motivating them to choose their FNC representatives objectively and with due regard to public interest.

The NEC will post the names of the Electoral College members on its website www.uaenec.ae today. Citizens can check if their name is included in the Electoral College of the emirate they represent by visiting the NEC website.

Search options

The website has advanced search options that enable to locate names by first name, last name, date of birth or the identification number issued by the Emirates Identity Authority.

Citizens can also check for their names through the NEC's call centre 60056661 or visit the Commission's offices operating in the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai World Trade Centre; Sharjah Cultural Palace; Ajman Executive Council General Secretariat; Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre — Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Fujairah Trade Centre and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in Umm Al Quwain.

FNC election process

• The registration of candidates will take place from August 14 to 17.
• NEC will announce the preliminary list of candidates on August 20.
• Objections against candidate applications can be filed from August 21 to 23, and NEC will give its ruling on such objections from August 24 to 25.
• The final list of candidates for the election will be announced on August 28.
• Candidates can campaign from September 4 to 21.
• Deadline for withdrawal of candidates is September 21.
• Candidates remaining in the fray should submit the names of their election agents by September 21.
• The elections will be held on September 24 across all emirates in the UAE and results will be announced on the same day after initial screening.
• Appeals against any result should be filed the very next day, on September 25, and NEC will decide on the appeals on September 28.
• The final list of winners will be announced on September 28, in case no by-election is required.
• A by-election will be held on October 1, if any two of the top-placed candidates in an emirate have polled equal number of votes.
• By-election results will be announced on October 1 after initial screening.
• Appeals against the by-election results can be filed on October 2.
• NEC will give its ruling on appeals against by-election results on October 5 and adopt the final list of winners on October 6.

information

• NEC will today post the names of the Electoral College members on its website www.uaenec.ae
• Citizens can also check for their names through the NEC's call centre 60056661