DUBAI, 10 May 2007 — More than a fifth of the UAE’s first Electoral College (EC) members — 22.4 percent — were below 30 years of age; a further 36.1 percent were between 31 and 40, and 15.6 percent over 50, revealed a detailed report on the nation’s first elections held last December.
The UAE Ministry of Federal National Council Affairs released and distributed the 136-page report to UAE government ministries and institutions, local media and universities.
The 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 that was undertaken by Watani in collaboration with the ministry. It also documents the ministry’s role in facilitating the elections.
The report underlines the high levels of education within the UAE’s EC members, with more than 52.3 percent having a university-level degree. An additional 6.6 percent have master’s degrees and an additional 4.2 percent hold doctoral degrees. The majority of EC members work in the government sector, with 25.4 percent in federal government departments, 21.9 percent in local government and 7.9 percent in semi-government, with 13.2 percent in the private sector. The report also mentioned the strong participation of UAE women, who accounted for 18 percent of the EC.
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, and their objectives and workings will encourage greater political participation in the UAE,” he said.
“We are confident the report will be a useful tool for academics, observers and students in demonstrating the success of the UAE elections, and provide a guideline for future election procedures,” he added.
The report also details the National Election Commission’s role in overseeing the elections. The nationwide elections, held on Dec. 16, 18 and 20, saw an average 79.5 percent voter turnout across the seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi recording over 60 percent turnout, Dubai 71.05 percent, Sharjah 82.2 percent, Ajman 85.09 percent, Ras Al-Khaimah 78.98 percent, Fujairah 90.41 percent and Umm Al-Quwain 88.83 percent.
The landmark elections were undertaken in accordance with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan’s call for modernization of the FNC and wider political participation in the UAE. The NEC was established by presidential decree in December 2005.
