ABU DHABI, 3rd October, 2015 (WAM)--Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs (FNC) and Chairman of the National Election Committee (NEC), today announced the names of the preliminary winners in the Federal National Council Elections 2015, which were conducted in three stages.
Apart from the Election Day today, voting was also held at UAE embassies and diplomatic missions abroad as well as during a period of early voting, enabling eligible UAE citizens to elect half of the 40-member Federal National Council.
Announcing the results at a press conference held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), Dr. Anwar Gargash said the nation has achieved another milestone that has instilled in Emiratis the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the leadership. He added that the UAE’s third electoral experience has become a key contributor to the nation’s development march.
Dr. Gargash expressed his appreciation to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for setting the pillars of the national empowerment programme, which concluded its third stage today through the FNC Elections 2015.
He also thanked Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with all the Members of Supreme, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates for their immense support to this pioneering national initiative through their continuous supervision of the electoral process.
Dr. Gargash also extended his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his support to the electoral programme.
"We are extremely thankful to the offices of the Rulers of the Emirates, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the Foreign Ministry, and all federal and local national institutions, especially the Interior Ministry, the Emirates Identity Authority, and all strategic partners and supporters of the electoral process who contributed immensely to its success," said Dr. Gargash.
He praised the role of electoral bodies which contributed significantly to the success of the voting process at all stages. Dr. Gargash said that using the electronic voting system is not a challenge any more for the elderly. "Their participation was prominent in the elections and we value their participation and extend our appreciation and respect for them."
He also praised the strategic partnership between NEC and the media outlets in the United Arab Emirates, which extended strong support to the NCE in effectively reaching out to all segments of the society in helping raise awareness of the electoral process.
Dr. Gargash appreciated the efforts of all the candidates who showed their keen interest and commitment to represent the community and serve their country and its leadership. He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, a candidate who passed away today. "We pray to God Almighty to rest his soul in peace," he said.
The country’s third elections witnessed an increase in voter turnout to 35.29 per cent with participation of 79,157 voters. The Electoral College also grew to 224,279 voters, with women representing 48 per cent of total voters. The number of polling stations increased to 36, which were equipped with all the facilities to enable the voters to exercise their electoral right smoothly.
A total of 330 candidates, including 74 women, from across the emirates contested the elections. A unique feature of the elections this year was the introduction of early voting for three days during which 37,663 voters cast their votes. Voting was also held from outside the UAE in 94 polling centres in the UAE embassies and diplomatic missions in most countries around the world, participated by 1,378 voters.
The electoral process has led to the election of 20 candidates, representing half the members of the Federal National Council. The total number of voters included 48,330 men and 30,827 women.
The votes cast in each emirate are: Abu Dhabi 35,046 votes, Dubai 11,760, Sharjah 9,585, Ajman 2,965, Umm al -Qaiwain 2,882, Ras Al Khaimah 11,444, and Fujairah 5,475 votes.
The final results will be declared on October 11, 2015, only after the completion of the period of appeals on the results which starts on Sunday (October 4), according to the timetable for the Federal National Council Elections 2015.
WAM/Majok