Sharjah civic councils to be fully elected
Sultan announces landmark move during Consultative Council session
There are nine municipal councils in the emirate, namely Sharjah City, Khor Fakkan, Bataeh, Al Hamriya, Maliha, Dibba Al Hosn, Al Madam, Al Dhaid and Kalba.
In a landmark move, citizens in Sharjah will be able to choose their representatives in the municipal and sub-district councils.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, announced yesterday that municipal and sub-district councils will be fully elected.
The Ruler of Sharjah made the announcement during yesterday’s session of the Sharjah Consultative Council.
Municipal councils are responsible in promoting civic engagement among Emiratis, and are made up of 85 members — including a chairperson — who were sworn in at the beginning of March this year.
Members of the council serve a two-year term and play a key role in the management and development of their community.
Dr Shaikh Sultan in his speech at the Advisory Council of the Emirate said: “Every member of the Council has the freedom to say without prejudice and without the false accusation and not be held accountable, half of the members of the Council are appointed by me, and I am the father of all, We will take responsibility for what goes on in the suburbs to the members of the provincial councils who will be elected fully. We hope you will charge me before Almighty Allah on Day of Judgement.”
The members of municipal and sub-district councils in Sharjah will be fully elected, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, announced at the session of the Sharjah Consultative Council yesterday.
He made the announcement in the presence of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.
There are nine municipal councils in the emirate, namely Sharjah City, Khor Fakkan, Bataeh, Al Hamriya, Maliha, Dibba Al Hosn, Al Madam, Al Dhaid and Kalba.
Municipal councils comprise 85 members, including a chairperson They serve a twoyear term and play a key role in the management and development of the community.
In his speech to the Sharjah Consultative Council, Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Every member of the council has the freedom to express their views without prejudice. We will take responsibility for what goes on in the suburbs and the members of the councils will be elected fully.”
Decision praised
Dr Shaikh Sultan’s decision has been welcomed by senior officials.
Mubarak Rashid Al Shamsi, director of Al Hamriya Municipality, said the directives will promote people’s participation in decision-making.
He pointed out that the emirate of Sharjah is proud of the success of the election of the Sharjah Consultative Council, which was held in 2015, and looked forward to the upcoming municipal elections as well as the councils of the suburbs to be an active partner in development.
Abdullah Mattar Al Ketbi, member of the Sharjah Consultative Council and chairman of the Committee of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Municipalities, Security Affairs and Public Utilities, said that the directives will help citizens express their needs through the elected members of the municipal councils.
He stressed that the move will help council members communicate the citizen’s opinions and needs to higher authorities.
There are nine councils, namely Sharjah City, Bataeh, Al Hamriya, Khor Fakkan, Maliha, Dibba Al Hosn, Kalba Al Madam and Al Dhaid.