Citizens Must Register Themselves to Vote in Sharjah Consultative Council Polls

Registration for SCC polls opens at Sharjah Municipality and other centres across Emirate and will close on Dec 17

SHARJAH/Sharjah Media Centre: December 6, 2015 – Voters in the Emirate of Sharjah have been urged to register themselves at the Sharjah Municipality and other centres in their respective electoral zones to take part in the upcoming elections for the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) and elect their representatives.

The registration process for the SCC elections formally began today (Sunday, December 6) at the Sharjah Municipality in the presence of HE Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, HE Mansour bin Nassar, Head of the Supreme Committee of SCC Elections, HE Khalid Al Midfa, Head of the Media Committee for SCC Elections, HE Ahmed Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the SCC Elections, and other senior officials and members of media. 

Later addressing a press conference, HE Khalid Al Midfa urged citizens in the Emirate of Sharjah to register at the relevant centres in order to take part in the SCC elections and choose the right candidates. He said that for the convenience of the voters in Sharjah, six registration centres, including one at the Sharjah Municipality, have been set up in Sharjah City. In addition to Sharjah City, registration centres have been set up in Dhaid, Khorfakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, Hamriya, Maliha, Madam and Al Bataeh.

Speaking on the occasion, HE Mansour bin Nassar, Head of the Supreme Committee of SCC Elections, underlined the importance of the citizens’ participation in the electoral and decision-making process.  Urging citizens to register themselves at their respective centres without fail, he said it is important for the voters to register themselves first in order to cast their vote and elect their candidates. 

The Head of the Supreme Committee of SCC Elections said that the electoral registration process, which has been a huge success in the United States, is for the first time being introduced in Sharjah for the SCC Elections.  He pointed out that the SCC elections have been held since 2006, saying the process has undergone constant improvement and fine-tuning all these years to ensure people’s empowerment and participation in the political process. 

HE Mansour bin Nassar emphasised that in order to take part in the decision-making process and have an effective say in Sharjah’s affairs and development, it is important for citizens to vote and join the process to choose the right and capable candidates.

He pointed out that the registration process helps the Election Committee to ensure that voters and candidates meet the required criteria and also monitor the whole process to ensure it remains transparent and fair. Besides, it serves as a very useful database and helps in evolving the right policies for the development of the emirate.

HE Ahmed Al Jarwan, Director of the Organising Committee for the SCC Elections, on this occasion explained the electoral process, saying the SCC Electoral College has been divided into nine constituencies to ensure all citizens are able to register and vote for their respective candidates.  The registration process which opened today (Sunday, December 6, 2015) will run until December 17 and will remain open during weekdays and weekends and also both in the morning and evening to ensure no one is left out. Voters can also register for their immediate family members and relatives, he added.  He thanked all electoral zones for their active support.

The organisers said that if the stipulated period for registration is found to be inadequate, it may be reopened later for voters.