Abu Dhabi-UAE: 26 June, 2019:   The National Election Committee (NEC) issued its decision No. (03/02/2019) on the Executive Regulations for the upcoming fourth cycle of the Federal National Council (FNC) elections.

Comprising 69 articles across nine chapters, the Executive Regulations form the legal framework of the elections at all stages of the electoral process and aim to ensure its transparency and integrity. Clarifying all aspects of the elections, the document outlines the mandate and the rights and responsibilities of the voters and candidates, committees that will manage the elections, and details of the electoral guides.

The Executive Regulations contain the provisions of the Presidential Resolution No. (1) of 2019, issued by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to raise women’s representation in FNC to 50 per cent with effect from the next legislative cycle. They also include the formation of the Smart Systems Committee as a new sub-committee, in addition to eliminating electoral silence to allow candidates to continue campaigning until one day before election day.

Chapter Two of the Executive Regulations defines the role and responsibilities of NEC, while Chapter Three highlights the tasks of each sub-committee and its purpose within the full framework of the election. Chapter Four specifies the terms of candidacy, whereas Chapter Five focuses on the voting process, including overseas voting, early voting and voting on election day. Meanwhile, Chapter Six sets out the rules of conduct of the electoral campaigns, Chapter Seven identifies electoral violations, and Chapter Eight explains appeal procedures.

On this occasion, His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and Chairman of NEC, stressed that the Committee is dedicated to compliance with the highest organisational and administrative standards and the most stringent procedures in conducting the fourth cycle of the FNC elections to build on the UAE’s legacy in this regard.

He highlighted the importance of the Executive Regulations in ensuring the highest level of transparency and integrity of the electoral process for all parties – whether they are members of the election management, candidates or voters – in order to ensure the credibility of the elections and boost confidence in the mechanism among government institutions and other entities as well as citizens.