European Union Hails Sharjah Consultative Council Polls As ‘Historic and Groundbreaking'

EU delegration visits Sharjah, praises transparent and smooth electoral process, ensuring greater 'democratic participation and empowerment of people'

SHARJAH/Sharjah Consultative Council, January 31, 2016: The European Union (EU) has hailed the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) elections, which conclude today (Sunday), as “a historic and groundbreaking step towards democratic participation and empowerment of people”.  An EU delegation led by HE Jean-Bernard Bolvin, Deputy Head of Mission to the UAE, visited the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, the main polling centre in Sharjah City, today to observe the electoral process.

HE Bolvin said he was impressed and pleasantly surprised by the steps taken by Sharjah to ensure a transparent, smooth and simple electoral process. He lauded Sharjah's leadership and people for making the first-ever election a success.  He praised the elaborate arrangements made by the Election Committee, including the registration of voters weeks ahead, to ensure the fairness and simplicity of the vote, which registered 54% turnout by the end of third day of the poll. The polling percentage was also impressive for the first-ever election in the Emirate, he added. 

The EU official praised His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for taking the bold step to conduct direct elections to half the seats of the Sharjah Council, saying this would ensure democratic participation and empowerment of people.

He also expressed his confidence that the election of new members to the Council would bring fresh ideas and views, enhancing greater popular participation.  This is a great opportunity for the Emirate's citizens, the majority of whom are young, and they should seize it, said HE Bolvin, expressing his best wishes for the people of Sharjah and the UAE.      

Earlier, HE Mansour bin Nassar, Chairman of Supreme Committee of SCC Elections, and other senior officials received the EU officials and briefed them on the various arrangements made by the Election Committee to ensure the maximum participation of all eligible voters in Sharjah and towards a free and fair poll.  Accompanied by the Election Committee officials, the EU officials also visited other polling centres in the Emirate and Al Qasimia University, where the counting of votes is to take place tonight at 8pm.    

The success of the political experiment, which paves the way for greater public participation in the decision-making process and development and progress of the Emirate in accordance with the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, lies in the maturity of the people of Sharjah, he added.  

The SCC elections are being held under the slogan of ‘Take Part in Decision Making', in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. A total of 195 candidates, including 43 women, competed for 21 seats spread across the Emirate, including Sharjah City, Kalba, Khorfakkan, Dhaid, Dibba Al Hisn, Bataeh, Maliha, Hamriya, and Madam. Up to 24,952 people above the age of 21, including 13,794 men and 11,158 women, from across the Emirate registered to vote.

More details about the SCC elections are available at www.ccsharjah.gov.ae.