NEC announces timetable for Federal National Council Elections 2015

As part of efforts to ensure the highest standards of efficiency, accuracy and transparency in the Federal National Council Elections 2015, the National Election Committee (NEC) has announced a timetable for the election process during its 11th meeting held in Abu Dhabi.

According to the timetable, the NEC will announce opening of nominations to the elections on August 13, followed by registration of the candidates, which will last for five days starting August 16. The preliminary list of candidates will be announced on August 23. Three days – August 24 to 26 – have been set aside for submission of objections on candidate nominations. NEC will respond to the objections on August 27.

The final list of candidates will be announced on August 31, following which the election campaign will be carried out for 25 days from September 6 to 30. The last date for withdrawal of candidates is September 14, which is also the deadline for candidates to submit the names of their agents.

The preliminary results will be announced on October 3, the same day that the elections are held. Appeals on the results can be made for three days from October 4 to 6, and the Commission will respond to the appeals over two days – on October 7 and 8. The NEC will approve the final list of winners on October 11, if no supplementary elections are required.

The timetable also takes into account any possible supplementary elections and announcement of results. It also allows citizens outside the country to vote in embassies abroad over two days – on September 20 and 21. There is provision for early voting for three days from September 28 to 30, followed by a period of electoral silence.

Commenting on the announcement of the timetable, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Commission, said the NEC is working hard to employ all the means and capabilities that contribute to the success of the Federal National Council Elections 2015.

Highlighting best standards and practices adopted in the electoral process, Dr. Gargash said the NEC has cleared the way for voting in embassies outside the country, and allowed early voting as part of the sustained efforts to enable the citizens to exercise their electoral right under any circumstances.

Dr. Gargash said the timetable for the electoral process enables the Committee to manage elections with high efficiency. A specific time frame for each phase of the electoral process ensures the highest standards of accuracy and transparency considering that these are major priority areas for the UAE leadership, he said.

Dr. Gargash said the early announcement of the timetable is aimed at promoting awareness among all members of the society about the various phases of the electoral process. Effective participation in the FNC Elections will add to the success of the previous two electoral experiences in 2006 and 2011, he said.

In addition to the announcement of the timetable, the Committee reviewed during its meeting a number of key technical issues related to the success of the election process. The NEC timetable for the FNC Elections 2015 has been published on the NEC website: www.uaenec.ae.

Further information related to the timetable is available through the NEC call centre number 600 500 005 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.