Members of the electoral bodies, who intend to run for the FNC elections in 2019, have proposed raising the ceiling of the candidates' electoral campaign to five million dirhams, instead of two million, according to the executive regulations of the elections.
While the National Elections Committee warned against exceeding the ceiling of the candidate's specific electoral spending, specifying six punitive measures that could be used against the offending candidate, depending on the degree of violation, beginning with the warning of exclusion from the lists of candidates and ending with his obligation to remove the violations related to election propaganda and to repair any damages arising at his own expense .
In addition, the social networking pages of a large number of citizens who are members of electoral bodies wishing to run for the FNC elections in 2019 have witnessed lengthy discussions about the electoral campaign ceiling set by the National Elections Commission at two million dirhams for every citizen who wishes to run. A proposal to raise the financial ceiling for the campaigns of candidates to five million dirhams.
The National Election Commission will announce the start of the campaign for candidates on September 5, with candidates starting their propaganda activities from September 8 to October 4, according to the official schedule.
He attributed the desire to stand for election (the newspaper is committed not to announce their names, in implementation of the ban on advertising before opening the door for candidacy), the reasons for this proposal to increase the cost of campaign headquarters and tents of electoral conferences, and the means and companies of electoral propaganda than in the previous elections of the Council (2015) The need to take into account differences in these prices, in order to allow those wishing to stand for themselves to present themselves properly.
On the other hand, the National Elections Committee confirmed that the ceiling of the electoral expenditure specified for one candidate was chosen as the basis for instilling a culture of election that the funds do not affect the electoral process, pointing out that the cost of election campaigns should not exceed the amount contained in the executive instructions (two million dirhams). According to the executive regulations, the Emirates committees are entrusted with following closely the election campaigns of the candidates and monitoring any irregularities or excesses in advertising in order to ensure that the exploitation of the funds is not in the elections, stressing that the committee will not tolerate any electoral irregularities, Hype.
The third is to cancel the license for the electoral propaganda granted to the candidate, the fourth to oblige him to pay a fine not exceeding 5000 dirhams, and the fifth to obligate the offending candidate to hand over the candidate. The National Committee any amounts received other than what is stated in the executive instructions, while the sixth and final punitive action includes the obligation of the candidate to remove the violations related to electoral advertising, and repair any damages arising from it at his own expense.
The Committee has set a number of controls for the electoral campaigns of candidates, granted each candidate the right to express himself, and carry out any activity aimed at persuading the voters to choose him, and the publicity of his electoral program completely free, provided that the values and principles of society are maintained, and abide by the rules and regulations in force, And not to include in the election campaign ideas that raise religious, sectarian, tribal or ethnic intolerance against others, as well as not to deceive voters or to deceive them by any means.
It also included a list of advertising controls, not to use the method of defamation, libel, abuse of speech or abuse of other candidates, directly or indirectly, and not to include in his campaign promises or programs beyond the powers of the Council member, while granted each candidate the right to present his electoral program in Local media, print, audio and video, and holding press conferences and symposia, in accordance with the rules set by the executive regulations and controls established by the National Committee in this regard.
Electoral prohibitions
The National Elections Committee banned spending on electoral advertising from public funds, from the budget of ministries, institutions, companies and public bodies, and other official bodies of the state. It also prohibits the use of public institutions and facilities for election propaganda, while allowing the candidate to receive donations from natural or legal persons only, Provided that these donations do not exceed the expenditure ceiling set for advertising campaigns, and the candidate must submit a statement of account for any contributions received to the Committee of the Principality as a matter of priority. The total amount of the financial allocations for the election campaign for all the candidates included in the final lists in the elections to the Federal National Council 2015 - estimated at 329 candidates - amounted to 658 million dirhams.
Coordination between the «National» and the government to spread the culture of political participation
The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs held a regular coordination meeting with the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council yesterday to review the results and achievements of the 16th legislative chapter, during which the prospects of cooperation and future plans for the common framework for developing more effective communication channels between the government and the council were reviewed. In support of the comprehensive and sustainable development process. The meeting also discussed many topics and initiatives aimed at promoting efforts to spread the culture of political participation in society.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary General of the Federal National Council, Ahmed bin Shabib Al Dhaheri, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, as well as a number of officials and teams on both sides.
During the meeting, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Tarek Lootah, stressed the keenness of the ministry to hold such periodic meetings in the interest of uniting the joint efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cooperation and coordination between the government and the council. Which would not have been possible without the sincere efforts of the brothers in the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council.
He pointed out that the General Secretariat of the Council used in the parliamentary holiday, which comes between the roles and chapters of the meeting, to harness all the possibilities to provide technical and research support to the Council and its organs, adding that this stage, where the state is preparing to hold the elections of the Council, The best cooperation between the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and the Council, with the unlimited support of the leadership process and the keenness of citizens to participate in the electoral process.
Technical equipment and national cadres
The Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Rulers of Dubai, Ahmed Mohammed bin Humaidan, confirmed the readiness of the committee's headquarters to support the National Elections 2019. He stressed that the committee enjoys the special support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council.
During his visit to the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), Bin Humaidan, who accompanied the committee members, praised the level shown by the committee of equipment and preparations. He explained that the headquarters was previously equipped to the highest standards in providing services and support to all participants in the elections. Where the work was started within the Committee immediately after the announcement of the National Elections Committee headquarters of the Emirates committees.
"The decision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, to raise the representation of women in the Federal National Council to 50% reflects His Highness's vision for the future and is one of the most important stages of the political empowerment program, The objectives of the program are also to promote the culture of political participation, to promote political awareness in the State, to create the necessary conditions for the preparation of more citizens to contribute to their social environment and to be able to influence the issues of the country, And contribute to the process of development Yeh, and exploring a prosperous future for present and future generations ».
Following the inspection visit, the committee of the Emirate of Dubai held its periodic meeting under the chairmanship of Ben Humaidan, in the presence of the members of the committee. The attendees reviewed the agenda of the committee and the timetable set by the National Elections Committee, , Scheduled on 7 August 2019, the registration period for candidates will be held from 18 to 22 August, then all stages, until the announcement of the final list of winners on 13 October 2019.
The meeting discussed the functions of the emirate's committee referred to in the executive regulations issued by the National Elections Committee and compared them with the available services and services required to support them in the emirate.
Bin Humaidan pointed out that the committee has taken measures to provide high quality facilities for registration of candidates during the period of candidacy at the headquarters of the Committee, in coordination with the Election Management Committee, and will support the headquarters with more technical equipment, in addition to the UAE cadres trained to receive candidates and manage the registration process, Conditions and requirements for nomination.
Bin Humaidan inspecting the headquarters of the Dubai Electoral Commission. From the source