Panel reviews election arrangements

Abu Dhabi: The National Election Committee (NEC) yesterday held its 8th meeting since its inception earlier this year.

Chaired by Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and NEC Chairman, the meeting reviewed progress on the final arrangements of FNC elections, scheduled to commence tomorrow in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

The committee expressed its appreciation of the initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to give members of the electoral commissions one day's leave to vote, each in his own emirate.

NEC members also reviewed lists of withdrawals from the elections and approved a list of officers and deputy officers of poll centres.

The meeting called for all those concerned with the electoral process to play a role in carrying out the elections in a civilised and organised manner.

The committee, which is set to hold its 9th NEC meeting on December 23, three days after the election closing date, expressed satisfaction at the highly civilised campaigns which close today, and stressed that they contribute to promoting the electoral culture across the UAE society.

Electoral college members totalled 6,679 while the number of candidates reached 456. Seventeen candidates have recently announced their withdrawal from the elections.