Upcoming Federal National Council to Comprise 20 Male, 20 Female Representatives
08 August 2019
National Election Committee Announces Move in Line with Presidential Resolution No. (1) of 2019 to Ensure 50% Female Representation
Elaborating on the mechanisms outlined for the upcoming fourth cycle of the Federal National Council (FNC) elections in October 2019, the National Election Committee (NEC) today announced that in line with the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Resolution No. (1) of 2019, the percentage of women in the Federal National Council is being raised to 50%, with the upcoming Council to have 20 elected male and 20 elected female representatives.
As per the optional mechanism outlined in the President's resolution, NEC in consultation with the UAE Rulers’ Courts revealed that Abu Dhabi and Dubai are allocating two seats for women out of the total number of seats designated for each emirate by election.
Meanwhile, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain are each designating one seat for women candidates following the election from the two seats dedicated to each emirate. Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah that have not dedicated any seats for women through the election mechanism, will follow the appointment approach to comply with the 50% percent stipulation for women members in the Federal National Council.
His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and Chairman of the National Election Committee, commended the efforts of the UAE’s Rulers’ Courts for making decisions that contribute to implementing the presidential resolution and finding mechanisms to ensure that the recommended increase in percentage of women representatives in FNC of 50% for each emirate is maintained in letter and spirit.
Al Owais said: “In keeping with the directives of our wise leadership, the UAE continues its endeavors to empower women. Our country firmly believes that women represent half of the society and that their efforts are crucial to accelerating advancements in all sectors. The decision to increase women’s representation in FNC originates from the important role women are already playing in the decision-making process at all levels and is all fields. We are confident the Presidential resolution will further step up their contribution to the UAE’s achievements and elevate the country’s status as a global leader in all domains.”
The President’s resolution to raise women’s representation in FNC to 50% came in the run-up to preparations for the FNC elections 2019. The resolution also factored in amendments to some provisions of the Supreme Council’s Resolution No. (4) of 2006 with regard to determining the selection process for emirates’ representatives in FNC.