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Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Watani Itihadi / Federal National Council More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1977 - LEADERSHIP President Amal Abdulla Al Qubaisi (F)  Notes Elected on 18 Nov. 2015. Secretary General Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 40 / 40 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 9 (22.50%) Mode of designation indirectly elected 20 appointed 20 Notes Indirect elections by an electoral college. Appointed members: appointed by the rulers of the various emirates. Term 4 years Last renewal dates 3 October 2015 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Federal National Council P.O. Box 836 - ABU DHABI (Export mailing lists) Phone (9712) 681 20 00 Fax (9712) 681 28 46 E-mail info@almajles.gov.ae Website http://www.almajles.gov.ae/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Watani Itihadi / Federal National Council Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 10 August 2006 Cabinet Order No (4 )of 2006, Last updated on 16 February 2011 (decree no. 2 of 2011) Mode of designation indirectly elected 20 appointed 20 Constituencies 7 multi-member constituencies: - 4 members each from Abu Dhabi and Dubai - 3 members each from Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah - 2 members each from Ajman, Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain Voting system Majority: Single Non-Transferable Vote (SNTV). Each elector votes for one candidate in his/her Emirate. Vacancies during the legislature are filled by the "next-in-line" candidate on the reserve list of the Emirate concerned. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements Requirements for membership of the Electoral College, a body which elects half (20) of the members of the Federal National Council: - citizenship of the United Arab Emirates (including naturalized citizens) - age: at least 25 years (the minimum age is decided by the ruler of each Emirate and may vary from one Emirate to another) CANDIDATES Eligibility Conditions vary in each of the seven Emirates Condition for elected seats: - membership of the Electoral College General conditions: - citizenship of the United Arab Emirates (including naturalized citizens) - age: at least 25 years (the minimum age is decided by the ruler of each Emirate and may vary from one Emirate to another) - Permanent residence in the Emirate in which the candidate is standing for election to the Federal National Council - literacy - good reputation Incompatibilities - any public post in the Federal Government, including ministerial posts Candidacy requirements - nomination by qualified electors - deposit of 1,000 Emirati dirhams (non-reimbursable)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Watani Itihadi / Federal National Council Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 3 October 2015 Timing and scope of renewal Since there are no political parties in the UAE, all candidates ran as independents. During election campaigning, many candidates focused on social issues, promising to provide better housing and more health services. Others focused on job creation and better educational services. The size of the Electoral College (a body which elects half (20) of the members of the Federal National Council) remained small but increased from 129,274 in 2011 to 224,279 in 2015. The government described the move as the leadership's willingness to "enable citizens to participate actively in the process of political development". Turnout increased from 27.25% to 35.29%. As in the 2011 elections, one woman was among the 20 winners. On 18 November, the newly elected members were sworn in alongside the 20 appointed members, including eight women. The 2015 elections used a single-vote system (meaning each voter voted for only one candidate in his/her emirate). Previously, voters were allowed to vote for as many as half the number of seats from their respective emirates. Eligible voters outside the country were allowed to vote for the first time in 2015. Date of previous elections: 24 September 2011 Timing of election: Upon normal expiry Expected date of next elections: October 2019 Number of seats at stake: 20 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 330 (252 men, 78 women) Percentage of women candidates: 23.6% Number of parties contesting the election: Not applicable* *There are no political parties in the UAE Number of parties winning seats: Not applicable. Alternation of power: Not applicable* *The monarchy Number of parties in government: Not applicable. Names of parties in government: Not applicable. Date of the first session of the new parliament: 18 November 2015 Name of the new Speaker: Ms. Amal Abdulla Al Qubaisi STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 3 October 2015 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 224'279 79'157 (35.29%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 31 9 22.50% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Note on the distribution of seats according to political group: Not applicable: there are no political parties. Note on the distribution of seats according to sex: One woman was elected while eight others were appointed by the rulers of the constituent states. Sources: Federal National Council (12.10.2015, 19.11.2015) http://www.thenational.ae

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Watani Itihadi / Federal National Council Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the Federal National Council Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Council - the election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Council or when a vacancy occurs Eligibility - any Member of the Council can be a candidate Voting system - vote by secret ballot - if nobody obtains an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is held between the candidates who obtained the two highest score. In the event of a tie in the second round lots are drawn. Procedures / results - the eldest Member presides over the Council during the voting - the eldest Member announces the results without any delay STATUS Status - in the absence of the Chairman, one of the two Deputy Chairmen can assume his/her role and functions Board - consists of the Chairman, two Deputy Chairmen and two controllers Material facilities NA (no information received) FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, in exceptional cases only - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Council - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - organizes the services of the Council - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Council - select the Members of delegations representing the Council within and outside the country Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes part in voting

This page was last updated on 19 May 2017
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