The National Elections Commission (NEC) has revealed an electoral trick that members of the electoral bodies may resort to by declaring their desire to run for the FNC elections and then playing the role of a “Shadow Candidate”, who announces his candidacy in order to guide voters from the electoral bodies within each Emirate. , To another candidate in solidarity with him, during his election campaign, especially in light of the inability of the voter to give his vote to more than one candidate only.

It is scheduled to announce today officially open the door for candidacy for the elections of the Council of citizens of the members of the electoral bodies, to begin receiving and registration of applicants wishing to run after the Eid al-Adha holiday, over five days, during the period from 18 to 22 August, Submitting applications to the Emirate Committee to which the applicant belongs, in person or through an agent.

The Committee affirmed the right of any applicant to run as of today, to declare and express their wishes to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections, provided that no form of electoral propaganda until the adoption of the final lists of candidates.

The Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Rapporteur of the Committee, Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghafli, said that the committee closed the field of solidarity between the candidates in this year's elections by adopting the application of the “one-vote” voting mechanism for the second round. He pointed out that this mechanism prohibits the election of a member of the electoral college to vote for more than one candidate only.

Al Ghafli said during a recent lecture organized by the Commission, for those wishing to run in Abu Dhabi, that «this measure has achieved many electoral advantages, most notably creating a kind of care for the voter to give his vote to the most deserved away from personal relations and tribal. In the past, we have suffered from the solidarity of the candidates with each other, because the mechanism used before the 2015 elections, allows each member of the electoral body, to choose more than one candidate from the electoral body during the voting process, but with the system of one vote, it became difficult to achieve solidarity ».

“Despite the adoption of the one-vote system, it is possible to see solidarity between the candidates in the current elections by a member of the electoral body announcing his desire to run during the propaganda period to promote another candidate, a phenomenon known as shadow candidates running Race and play promotional and promotional roles, aimed at helping another candidate to win the electoral seat », calling for at the same time all candidates who intend to run in the election race to focus on their campaigns, and not to exercise any solidarity roles with the rest of the candidates.

On the absence of comprehensive lists of members of the electoral bodies to help those wishing to run by identifying members of their electoral bodies in order to communicate with them and attract them, as was the case in previous sessions, Ghafli explained that the National Elections Commission decided to determine the period of announcement of the final list of candidates, as a deadline for the delivery of all lists of candidates Members of electoral bodies.

He said: «After the announcement of the main lists of candidates will be entitled to each candidate to get a list of electoral bodies from the local election commission he represents».

Dr. Saeed Al-Ghafli:

• «The system of (one vote) created a kind of care for the voter to give his vote to the most deserved .. away from personal relations and tribal».

Awareness of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The National Election Commission (NEC) organized an awareness lecture yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi, under the title of “Enhancing Political Participation and Empowering Women through FNC Elections”. State, and emphasize the importance of active participation in elections.

The Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Rapporteur of the Committee, Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghafli, confirmed that the elections of the Council are a new phase in the political development process pursued by the UAE, and a new electoral entitlement through which the citizens of the State participate in the selection of their representatives under the dome of the Council. It contributes to conveying their voice responsibly and honestly, and working towards fulfilling their requirements and needs.

Al-Ghafli explained that the upcoming elections are a practical reflection of the qualitative development of the electoral process. He said that «the electoral process comes within the context of the system of development and development and work to continue the march of achievements and successes achieved by the state in all areas, and therefore, participation in the electoral process at all stages of the vote is an effective contribution In building the bright future of the state. ”

He stressed the great role played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the phase of voting outside the country, which is scheduled to be held on 22 and 23 September, and its keenness to provide all the equipment and preparations at the headquarters of embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, so that members of electoral bodies abroad to vote in the elections .

Al-Ghafli praised the Ministry's great efforts in introducing the UAE parliamentary elections to enhance its international standing.

He added: “The UAE leadership is keen to provide everything that will deepen popular participation, raise political awareness among citizens and usher in a new phase with additional gains, and activate the role played by the Federal National Council, in translation of the political empowerment program announced by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in 2005 on the occasion of the 34th National Day of the UAE, which aims to activate the role of the Federal National Council, and enhance the participation of citizens in the national work and their contribution to the decision-making process ».

The lecture witnessed a review of the tasks and the role of the Council, and the great achievements made during the course of his career, which began with the establishment of the State of the Union, as Al-Ghafli stressed that the Council was and still represents the voice of the people of the UAE, which expresses their aspirations and aspirations, and transmits to the government the requests, needs and wishes of citizens.

He pointed out that the members of the Council worked with sincerity, dedication and high sense of honesty and national responsibility for the benefit of the nation through full and effective coordination with the government. The Council formed the supporting and guiding authority of the executive authority and the active contributor to the adoption of a lot of legislation and laws, which led to the advancement of all sectors in the country. Emirates.

Al Ghafli talked about the decision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to raise the percentage of women representation in the Council, to 50%, considering it an important step in its essence embodied in the leadership's belief in the active role of women in the development of parliamentary work, and serve the country and the citizen, where The move has placed the UAE at the forefront of the world in terms of women's political representation in parliament.

He stressed that the active presence of women in the Federal National Council is a qualitative leap in the parliamentary work, and stressing the importance of its distinctive role in the service of society, noting that the leadership has paid attention since the early process of empowering women to assume all leadership positions in the State, including the Federal National Council, since The first electoral process, up to the fourth round, in which women will occupy half of the council seats.