Abu Dhabi: Members of the Federal National Council on Wednesday endorsed a draft law on obligatory military service in a private session.

The bill requires to be signed into law by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It will be enforced six months from the date of publishing in the official gazette.

Once the law is enforced, Emiratis who have finished secondary school will have to serve nine months, while those who have not will serve two years.

Citizens who fail to enlist for military service without valid reason until they reach 29 years of age will face a jail term of between one month and a year, or a fine ranging between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000 or both. They will have to undergo the military service even if they exceed the age limit of 30.

Executive rules will spell out alternative services, where these services can be offered and terms for exemption from the military service for medical or other reasons. Members of the House suggested six months be given as a deadline for these rules to be issued.

Citizens who complete the mandatory military service will enjoy a range of benefits including priority for taking up jobs at government institutions and private businesses, marriage grants, housing plots and scholarships, according to the draft law. Citizens who joins illegal organisations will be disqualified from the service, suggests the bill.

In a report read before the closed-door session was ordered on Tuesday, a committee of the House suggested achievers who have finished secondary school and scored 80 per cent be allowed to complete their studies before joining the national service.

The draft law as proposed by the government set 90 per cent marks as a condition for delaying the duty until a student gets a higher degree.

The bill would require all men who have finished secondary school or aged between 18-30 to undergo military service. The service will be optional for women.

Emirati men aged 17 who have finished secondary school, may join national service after approval is obtained from their parents.

Working Emiratis will not be exempt and, while serving in the military, time will be added to their end of service and pension benefits.

However, citizens who fail to join the military and reserve service will face up to 10 years in prison, according to a draft law passed by the Cabinet in January.

The council suggested that a tougher penalty of up to 15 years in prison be imposed on offenders found guilty of attempting to avoid military and reserve duty.