UAE Ministry of Federal National Council Affairs releases detailed report on nation's first elections

The report, part of the ministry's efforts to develop an election culture in the UAE, has been distributed to government ministries and institutions, media and universities in the UAE.

The 136-page report, currently available in Arabic, includes sections on the election process, an analysis of the ministry's media outreach, and a statistical analysis of the Electoral College and candidates undertaken by WATANI in collaboration with the Ministry. It also documents the ministry's role in facilitating the elections.

Tariq Hilal Lootah, Secretary General of the Ministry of FNC Affairs, said the report is the first in a series directed by the National Election Committee to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the election process and boost awareness of the elections.

"The report not only fully documents the UAE's first election experience, but also acts as a tool of understanding and learning. We hope that its details about the elections, their objectives and workings will encourage greater political participation in the UAE," he said. "We are confident the report will be as a useful tool for academics, observers and students in demonstrating the success of the UAE elections, and provide a guideline for future election procedures."

The December elections, Mr. Lootah added, are the first brick in the construction of a new culture of national political participation. "The election process has encouraged the emergence of a new generation of young leaders and has, for the first time, witnessed the representation of women in the FNC. These representatives will bring new energy and commitment to the work of the FNC," he said.

According to the report, more than a fifth of the UAE's first Electoral College (EC) members - 22.4 per cent - were below 30 years old. A further 36.1 per cent were between 31 and 40, and 15.6 per cent above 50. The report also documents strong participation from UAE women, who accounted for 18 per cent of the EC.

The report also underlines the high levels of education within the UAE's EC members, with more than 52.3 per cent having a university-level degree. An additional 6.6 per cent have Master's degrees and an additional 4.2 per cent doctoral degrees. The majority of EC members work in the government sector, with 25.4 per cent in federal government departments, 21.9 per cent in local government and 7.9 per cent in semi-government, with 13.2 per cent in the private sector.

The report also details the National Election Commission's role in overseeing the elections. The nation-wide elections, held on December 16, 18 and 20, drew an average 79.5 per cent voter turnout across the seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi recording over 60 per cent, Dubai 71.05 per cent, Sharjah 82.20 per cent, Ajman 85.09 per cent, Ras Al Khaimah 78.98 per cent, Fujairah 90.41 per cent turnout and Umm Al Quwain 88.83 per cent.

The landmark elections were undertaken in accordance with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's call for modernization of the FNC and wider political participation in the UAE. The NEC was established by presidential decree in December 2005.