‘New rules show leadership’s desire to promote transparency’
FNC members praise voting guidelines and introduction of counting committee
The new Federal National Council’s (FNC) guidelines are indicative of the leadership’s desire to promote greater participation and transparency in the elections, according to members of the House.
Ali Jasem Ahmad, a veteran member of the House, said the new guidelines for the 2015 elections will facilitate the successful implementation of the polls and reflect positively on the development of the country’s political process.
“The new poll rules are indicative of the UAE Government’s desire to promote greater participation and transparency in the 2015 elections,” Ahmad, a member from Umm Al Quwain, said.
He welcomed the new voting system in which each voter will be able to vote for one candidate in his emirate, saying voters should feel that the candidate for which they are voting is worthy of support and the House should be seen as a useful authority.
Mosabeh Saeed Al Katbi, a member from Sharjah, particularly welcomed increasing the number of polling stations and said it should be easier for citizens to vote.
In the Central Region, there are more polling stations. “More polling stations in each emirate, with less of a journey involved, will help to increase turnout,” Al Katbi said.
Al Katbi expressed the hope that with turnout nearly 28 per cent in the previous elections, this time there’s certainly scope for improvement.
In the 2011 elections, out of nearly 130,000 eligible voters, just over 36,000 cast their ballots, or 28 per cent. (In 2006, turnout was 74.4 per cent.) Abu Dhabi had the lowest turnout, with only 21.3 per cent casting their vote; Dubai was second lowest with 24.7 per cent. It is worth noting that Abu Dhabi had the lowest turnout in the 2006 election as well, although that was 60 per cent.
‘Reflect positively’
Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a member from Ajman, said the Appeals Committee being headed by a judge will reflect positively on transparency of the new elections.
Under the new guidelines, the Appeals Committee will be headed by a judge, and will include two members with experience and competence to examine all electoral appeals both with regard to nomination of candidates and the voting process and results. The Appeals Committee will report the legal opinion to the NEC. In the previous elections, the Appeals Committee was headed by the Minister of Justice (a member of the National Election Committee).
Al Nuaimi also welcomed the introduction of a Counting Committee, which is a central committee headed by the Chairman of NEC with membership of experts competent in the following tasks: counting votes using electronic voting system, announcing the results, and identifying a list of reserve members in each emirate.
Stressing that the FNC has shown its determination to become more effective in the present legislative term, with ministers being called to account and with a raft of proposals for new legislation, Al Nuaimi said once voters believe the House is doing a great job, they are more likely to participate in the elections and vote.
Al Nuaimi welcomed the fact that the Emirates Committees are granted more flexibility in the formation of subcommittees.