Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of National Election Committee (NEC), has stressed the role of the media as a strategic partner of the NEC in the next stage of the preparations for the Federal National Council Elections 2015.
Addressing the eighth meeting of the Committee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Dubai, Dr. Gargash said the media's cooperation is vital for the success of the elections, which represents a major step in the implementation of the empowerment programme launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the 34th National Day in 2005.
The meeting reviewed the intensive preparations carried out by the Committee to implement the electoral process efficiently as part of strategic plans to enhance parliamentary life in the UAE.
Dr. Gargash said: "Media is an important strategic partner for the NEC, and has a pivotal role in all the phases of the electoral process. Media's contribution is crucial in raising political awareness and spreading the message of the Committee to all segments of the UAE society." Dr. Gargash pointed out that the Committee's partnership with the media during the previous elections in 2006 and 2011 was successful in promoting the work of the Committee and conveying the messages related to its activities in a professional manner.
During the meeting, the Committee reviewed the draft instructions for the transparent conduct of the electoral process. It also reviewed the proposed timetable for elections.
In this regard, Dr. Gargash said: "The scheduling of the elections will serve as a roadmap for the NEC to measure the management of the elections in accordance with specific periodic indicators. The NEC will study the appropriate date for conduct of the electoral process, and announce it once adopted by the Committee." The meeting also discussed the work of the Technical Committee of the NEC in implementing the electronic voting system as well as the provision of technical requirements necessary for the success of the electoral process.
The NEC was formed under Decree No. 3 for 2006 issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with respect to the selection of the representatives of the emirates in the FNC. The NEC supervises the progress of all aspects of the electoral process, including drafting the general framework of the process, contributing to election-related awareness, and endorsing the organisational procedures for establishing the legal framework of the elections.
Source: WAM