In a recent announcement, the National Elections Committee revealed plans to revolutionize the voting process for the upcoming fifth round of Federal National Council elections. UAE citizens will now have the opportunity to cast their votes remotely, regardless of whether they are within the country or abroad.
Under the new system, the UAE will combine remote votes with those collected at official polling stations, introducing a hybrid approach. This move aligns with the UAE’s ongoing digital transformation and aims to ensure that each voter can only cast a single vote. In case a voter submits multiple votes, whether remotely or at a polling center, only the latest vote will be valid.
Moreover, the new system will restrict voters from electing more than one candidate from their respective emirate. A dedicated mobile application will facilitate the remote voting process, allowing voters to access it from the early voting period until the conclusion of the main election day.
Additionally, diplomatic missions will no longer serve as election centers. Instead, the authorities have made several amendments and enhancements to the executive instructions for the Federal National Council elections of 2023, based on evaluations of previous electoral cycles.
As part of the digital setup, all members of the Electoral College must register in the uaepass digital identity system, which has been authorized for voting purposes. The changes also include an increase in the candidate registration fee from AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 ($272-$816).
Furthermore, individuals with disabilities who meet the necessary legal requirements and pass a medical assessment are now eligible to participate as candidates. The authorities have raised the spending limit for electoral campaigns, enabling candidates to allocate up to AED 3M. Furthermore, they have increased the maximum fine for rule violations to AED 10,000.
The National Elections Committee emphasizes the significance of adhering to the provisions and regulations outlined in the executive instructions for the elections.
The Federal National Council comprises 40 members and serves as the UAE’s parliamentary group. For further details, citizens can visit the National Elections Commission website at www.uaenec.ae or utilize the NEC smart application, accessible through the Apple Store and Google Store.
