EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY
Early voting to the Federal National Council elections will begin today, the National Election Committee has said. |
About 337,738 Emiratis will vote on October 5 in the Federal National Council (FNC) elections, the fourth in the nation’s history. The elections will, however, start with early voting from today to Thursday at nine polling stations, according to the National Election Committee (NEC).
The NEC said voters can cast their votes at the nearest polling station, regardless of emirate, adding that they must produce their identity cards. Each voter only has one vote and can choose only one candidate.
The recently concluded overseas voting saw 1,842 Emiratis vote in polling stations around the world. Tariq Hilal Lootah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs, Member of the NEC and Chairman of the Electoral Management Committee, said: “Today, we are starting a new phase of advancing parliamentary work, which will culminate in the participation of members of electoral authorities from all emirates, to undertake their national duty and vote for their chosen FNC candidates.”
What is the FNC?
The FNC is the UAE’s advisory council formed under the UAE Provisional Constitution in 1971 as a permanent component of the country’s governing structure, which also includes the Supreme Council, President, Cabinet and Judiciary.
It comprises 40 members. This year, 20 members will be elected by the 337,738 members of the Electoral College. The other 20 will be nominated by the Rulers of their respective emirates. The first session of the FNC was inaugurated by President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on February 13, 1972.
What is its role?
According to the Constitution, federal draft laws first have to pass through the FNC for review and recommendations. Draft laws and amendments formed with help of specialised house committees are presented to the FNC for discussion and later sent back to the Cabinet for approval.
The FNC is also a forum where members can question ministers. The FNC is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as well as the Arab Parliamentary Union.
Can all citizens vote?
Not all UAE citizens are allowed to vote or run for office. Only 337,738 citizens out of more than a million Emiratis are eligible to take part. Those eligible are chosen by the Rulers of the emirates. Women are allowed to vote and contest and there is a 50 per cent quota to ensure 20 women get elected.
The majority of the voters this year are below the age of 40, representing 61.32 per cent of the electoral college. This year, 337,738 Emiratis will vote, marking a 50.58 per cent increase over the 2015 list that had 224,281 Emiratis. The representation of women in the electoral college for 2019 has increased to 50.62 per cent, compared to 49.38 per cent for men.