Election officials to meet the masses, explain FNC vote

ABU DHABI // Officials overseeing the coming FNC elections are to explain the vote to as many of the 129,000 voters as possible.
From Sunday until the end of the month, National Election Committee (NEC) officials will travel across the country to explain the role of the FNC, the reasons behind the 20-fold expansion of the electoral college compared with the last elections in 2006, and other changes this year.
Emiratis will also be told who is eligible to run as a candidate, what is required of them, and what are their rights as voters and candidates.
Tariq Lootah, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of State for FNC affairs, NEC member and chairman of the election management committee, said that in 2006 there was confusion as voters believed that if their name were on the list, they were automatically members of the FNC.
In some emirates, including Dubai and Sharjah, more than one session will be held to cover as many areas as possible and encourage a larger turnout.
It was announced this week that 129,274 Emiratis are eligible to take part in the September elections. In 2006, 6,595 voted.
The committee said the rolls would consist of 47,444 members from Abu Dhabi, 37,514 from Dubai, 16,850 from Ras al Khaimah, 13,937 from Sharjah, 6,324 from Fujairah, 3,920 from Ajman and 3,285 from Umm al Qaiwain.
The sessions will take place at: Al Raha Beach Theatre, Abu Dhabi on Sunday; Al Ain Municipality Theatre on Monday; Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday; and Zayed Sports City Cultural Centre on Thursday. All start at 7.30pm.
The week after they take place at: Fujairah Cultural Centre at 5pm, the only meeting not taking starting at 7.30pm, and Khor Fakkan Cultural Centre on Sunday; Sharjah Cultural Palace on Monday; Ras al Khaimah Cultural Centre on Tuesday; Umm al Qaiwain Cultural Centre on Wednesday; and Ajman University on Thursday.
osalem@thenational.ae