Emirati parliamentary election, 2011

United Arab Emirates
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the United Arab Emirates
Constitution Human rights
Federal Supreme Council President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Current members
Federal National Council Speaker: Amal Al Qubaisi
Elections Recent elections Parliamentary: 2006 2011 2015
Foreign relations Minister of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic missions of UAE to UAE Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Expatriates
Related topics National symbols Flag Emblem Anthem Emirates Rulers Military History
Other countries Atlas

A parliamentary election was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 24 September 2011 to elect the half of the members of the 15th Chapter of the Federal National Council, and appoint the other half of the members.^[1][2] The electoral college was expanding from roughly 6,000 members in 2006 to 129,274 in the planned elections, which were the second parliamentary elections held in the country.^[3] Some observers were calling for a delay in the voting process to allow for more time for candidates to campaign for the position.^[4] The government had stated that "the upcoming election is an important step in promoting political participation, as part of a gradual and clear approach of the UAE."^[5] The turnout was 28%.^[6]

Elections timetable

The following elections timetable has been taken from the UAE National Elections Commission website.^[7]

Electoral college

The 2011 parliamentary elections had an expanded electoral college constituting 129,274 members, made up of 46% females and 54% males, of which 35% were younger than 30 years.^[8]

Candidates

The National Elections Commission announced on 20 August 2011 the preliminary list of candidates, stating that 469 members of the electoral college nominated themselves to be candidates to run for the parliamentary elections. Of those 469 nominees, 85 were women.^[9]

Campaign Rules

Rules for Candidates

The National Elections Committee set a list of campaigning rules that govern the 2011 elections:^[10]

• Candidates must adhere to the laws of their emirate.
• Candidates must not disrespect values and principles of the society.
• Candidates must not show disregard to public order and morals.
• Candidates must not encourage any religious sentiment in their campaigns.
• Candidates must not receive funds from foreign groups or individuals, and use a maximum of 2 million dirhams.^[3]
• Candidates must reveal their source of funding to their emirate's election committee.
• Candidates must not give or promise to give monetary gifts in exchange for votes.
• Candidates must not deceive voters.

According to the article,^[10] any violation of the rules may result in the candidate losing the right to stand for elections and the right to vote and may be subject to paying a fine of 5,000 AED.

Rules for Voters

The National Elections Committee also set a list of rules that voters must stick to,^[10] such as:

• Voters must not interfere with the proper running of the elections.
• Voters must not interfere with other voters' right to vote.
• Voters must not promote any candidate at the polling stations.
• Voters must not promise to vote for a candidate in return for a monetary gift or other benefit.
• Voters must not try to influence other voters.

Results

The following table are according to the official results as announced by the National Elections Commission:^[11][12][13]

The appointed members announced are:^[15]

• Abu Dhabi:

1. Noura Mohammad Hilal Al Kaabi
2. Sultan Rashid Saeed Al Daheri
3. Khalifa Nasser Al Suwaidi
4. Dr Amal Al Qubaisi

• Dubai:

1. Afra Rashid Al Basti
2. Dr Mona Juma Al Bahar
3. Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, elected uncontested as Speaker of Federal National Council.
4. Ahmad Obaid Al Mansouri

• Sharjah:

1. Shaikha Ali Salem Al Owais
2. Ahmad Ali Mftah Al Za'abi
3. Ya'aqoub Ali Saeed Khalaf Al Naqbi

• Ras Al Khaimah:

1. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Za'abi
2. Rashid Mohammad Al Shuraiqi
3. Abdul Rahim Al Shaheen

• Ajman:

1. Ahmad Mohammad Rahmeh Al Shamsi
2. Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi

• Fujairah:

1. Mohammad Saeed Mohammad Al Raqabani
2. Aisha Ahmad Mohammad Al Yamahi

• Umm Al Quwain:

1. Ali Jasem Ahmad
2. Humaid Mohammad Ali

Upon the opening of the 15th Chapter of the Federal National Council, the appointed member Mohammed Al Murr was elected uncontested as Speaker of the Federal National Council.

References

External links

• UAE National Elections Commission (in Arabic)
• UAENEC List of Candidates (in Arabic)