More than 475 candidates have filed their nominations to run in parliamentary election which is slated for Sept. 24. According to the National Election Committee (NEC), the total number of registered candidates in different emirates of the UAE includes 121 in Abu Dhabi, 125 in Dubai, 97 in Sharjah, 60 in Ras Al Khaimah, 34 in Ajman, 19 in Umm Al Quwain and 21 in Fujairah.
The government sources said 477 people had registered so far to run for half the seats in the 40 member Federal National Council. The other half of the seats will be chosen by the rulers of each emirate. A number of women candidates also have filed their applications this time, especially from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Every individual from among the 129,000 voters who have been chosen by the government is eligible to file nomination papers abiding by the set rules.
The National Election Commission (NEC) will announce the preliminary list of candidates on Aug. 20 giving the candidates the time to appeal, while the final list of candidates will be announced on Aug. 28 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is Sept. 21.
“We hope that everyone supports this step, which is important in enhancing political participation and empowering the Federal National Council,” Anwar Gargash, minister of state for FNC affairs, said in a statement.
Full Article: 477 candidates file nominations to run in UAE parliamentary election – Arab News.
