Gargash commends Sharjah polls
ELECTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE MATURITY OF PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE — MINISTER
The first Consultative Council elections in Sharjah marked a new step in efforts to strengthen political participation and empower citizens in the decision-making process, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs, said yesterday.
Gargash said the electoral process highlighted the maturity of parliamentary experience.
The election process began after His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, announced that the council will see half of its 42 members elected in the upcoming term while the rest will be appointed by the Ruler.
Last week, the official registration for members of the electoral colleges opened at 14 different locations across all cities and areas in Sharjah for citizens above the age of 21 and will continue until December 17. Citizens of Sharjah were called on to register their documents to be eligible to vote or contest as candidates.
“The elections to the Sharjah Advisory Council, which was launched under the directions of Dr Shaikh Sultan comes as a new element in the political empowerment, reinforcing the concepts of the electoral process among community members and encouraging them to take part in the decision-making process in Sharjah,” Dr Gargash said.
Key roles
He said the vision of Dr Shaikh Sultan will enable the council to play key roles in meeting citizens’ needs, and enable the citizens to take part in the electoral process by exercising their votes and standing as candidates for membership in the council.
Dr Gargash praised the efforts of the Higher Committee for Sharjah Consultative Council election (HCSCCE) to set up centres for the registration of voters in various areas in the emirate. He also commended the citizens for turning out at the registration centres, and said their active participation highlighted the political awareness of community members in the electoral process.