UAE’s electoral base for FNC polls gets 66% wider

National Election Committee announces Electoral College of 224,279 members; 67 % below the age of 40 years

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash chairs the National Election Committee meeting in Abu Dhabi. -Supplied photo

The National Election Committee (NEC) during its 12th meeting, held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, has adopted the electoral college for the Federal National Council (FNC) Elections 2015 constituting 224,279 members representing all the emirates. This marks a 66 per cent increase in the number of voters compared to the 2011 elections which had an electoral college comprising 135,308 UAE nationals.

The electoral college includes 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 members from Fujairah.

The list will be published by the NEC today 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 list 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.

Check your name in the list: The Electoral College list will be published by the NEC today 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 in the electoral college of their respective emirate, searching either by Emirates 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 midnight. Another option is to visit the Emirates Committees offices in the various emirates. Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash addressing the National Election Committee during its 12th meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. — Supplied photo

Citizens can also check their names by contacting the NEC call centre on 600500005 which operates — during Ramadan — from 9am to 4pm and 9pm to midnight. Another option is to visit the Emirates Committees offices in the various emirates.

Majority of the members are below 40 years, representing 67 per cent of the electoral college. At the emirate level they constitute 85 per cent of the members in Fujairah, followed by 67 per cent in Abu Dhabi and 70 per cent in Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. In Umm Al Quwain they make up 69 per cent of the members and in Dubai 59 per cent.

Men and women ratio

Up to 52 per cent of the members in the electoral college 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.

Speaking on the declaration of the electoral college list, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council and Chairman of the NEC, said the announcement confirms the determination of the UAE to promote political participation in the country. The country has adopted a gradual political approach to develop parliamentary experience, matching the unique cultural experience of the UAE community in all areas, Dr Gargash said.

He pointed out that the announcement of the names in the electoral college is part of the major efforts taken by the NEC to provide all possibilities and means to contribute to the success of the electoral process. It is also a step towards ensuring that the FNC 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 find effective and appropriate solutions, Dr Gargash said.

Dr Gargash explained that increasing the number of members of the electoral college for the third election of the FNC 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 the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to promote political participation, and make the FNC, a supportive element in the executive power in the country, Dr Gargash added.

The FNC election process

The electoral college elects half the members of the FNC, 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 to if they meet the conditions laid down in the Constitution.

The Supreme Council of the Union issued in the year 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 Emirate. Possibilities exist for major expansion of the Electoral College considering that the amendments have set no maximum limits for the number of members.

In addition to adopting the names in the Electoral College, the NEC reviewed a number of key technical and technological matters. The committee also evaluated its role in providing all the means and capabilities to ensure the success of the electoral process. -reporters@khaleejtimes.com