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Sharjah election committee granted legal right to issue violations during 2015 elections

The emirate was granted this right during an extraordinary session titled “Federal National Council (FNC) Elections 2015 and the UAE’s March of Sustainable Development”.

SHARJAH - Sharjah election committee has been granted the legal  right to issue violations for offending candidates and voters during the 2015 election, said speakers at an extraordinary session titled “Federal National Council (FNC) Elections 2015 and the UAE’s March of Sustainable Development”. The  session is part of the Ramadan Majlis organised by of Sharjah Media Centre’s (SMC)  held in Al Majaz theatre.

Speakers at the session included Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for FNC's Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC); Adviser Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department, NEC Member and former FNC member; and Legal Adviser Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, Director of the Legal Department at the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Committee for the FNC Elections 2015. The session was moderated by Mohammed Majid Al Suwaidi, Presenter at Sharjah Media Corporation.

Addressing the Majlis, Dr Gargash said the UAE’s philosophy of the electoral experience is based on the need to develop political participation gradually and ensure it is well established. He added: “There is a commitment by the leadership that this experience is made up of phases, each of which will be evaluated and developed until we reach the best electoral model. Our leadership wants modern and influential political participation that suits our society and, at the same time, a developed and civilised model. This is because our leadership seeks to maintain authentic UAE values and make use of them moving forward.”

He added that the phase His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched in 2005 required the facilitation of procedures for public participation of UAE citizens, men and women, in the election process through an organised gradual approach that began with the election of half the members of the FNC. 

“It was a limited experience in 2006, with the participation of 7,000 voters, and then extended to 130,000 voters in 2011, to reach 224,000 voters this year with the introduction of the single-vote system, instead of the multi-vote system of the two previous elections. The leadership aspires through this gradual process of strengthening political participation to the establishment of a national experience that brings Emirati citizens together, and does not divide them or reflect negatively on the unity of our society.”

He also praised the directives of Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to elect half the members of the Sharjah Consultative Council, noting that this decision supports the FNC and comes as part of the empowerment phase announced by the President. 

Adviser Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri stressed that the greatest wealth in the UAE is the trust between the leadership and the people. He said: “What distinguishes us in the UAE is our harmony and unity. Between Emiratis, there are no accusations of disloyalty or lack of patriotism. Our government believes in programmes, plans and projects that facilitate the work of FNC members, both in their legislative and authoritative roles.”

Adviser Al Khatri said that the FNC member represents all UAE people, adding that the importance of the FNC lies in its role in revising and amending laws, which is a big achievement for the UAE. “The validity of the FNC member does not stem from the election, but from the constitutional provision. I ask that the media cover the FNC sessions and convey to the public everything happening during these sessions so as to keep people informed and updated,” he said.

 Other prominent attendees included Adnan Hamad Al Hammadi, Deputy Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council, HE Mawran bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and HE Osama Sarma, Director of SMC.  Current and former FNC members and current and former members of the Sharjah Consultative Council, as well as other official figures.

Speaking at the session, Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: “This is an exceptional session, not originally included in the agenda, but added due to our desire to keep up with UAE’s politics.  We believe that citizens want to contribute, along with their leadership, to preserving and enhancing the achievements of the UAE. Our society wishes to uphold political, economic and social stability for the UAE and wants to ensure a dignified and happy life for all its citizens.”

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com