UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: legislative elections
Description of government structure:
•Chief of State: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan *
•Head of Government: Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum
•Assembly: United Arab Emirates has a unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani) with 40 seats.
* The president is elected by indirect vote by and from the Federal Supreme Council (FSC), which is composed of the seven emirate rulers, to serve 5-year terms. There are no term limits for the president.
Description of electoral system:
•The President is appointed by hereditary state rulers.
•The Prime Minister is appointed head of government.
•In the Federal National Council (Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani), 20 members are appointed to serve 2-year terms and 20 members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 2-year terms.***
*** 20 members are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates and 20 members are elected by indirect vote through local councils. All members serve 2-year terms.
Read more on IFES Election Guide
Woman in UAE determined to get elected to parliament
The presence of women in politics has been a contentious issue throughout the UAE's history but not any more, Azza Sulaiman Bin Sulaiman said during a session on her election campaign. "Women's suffrage and the right to vote, stand for election or to be in parliament are only recent phenomena, spanning only as far as four years," she said.
"With a strong will and determination, everyone whether man or women can reach their targets," Azza said. "I feel there are no obstacles in my way towards parliament. I have enough experience and knowledge to get to my target."
Read the whole article at Gulf News, published September 8
Woman in UAE determined to get elected to parliament
The presence of women in politics has been a contentious issue throughout the UAE's history but not any more, Azza Sulaiman Bin Sulaiman said during a session on her election campaign. "Women's suffrage and the right to vote, stand for election or to be in parliament are only recent phenomena, spanning only as far as four years," she said.
"With a strong will and determination, everyone whether man or women can reach their targets," Azza said. "I feel there are no obstacles in my way towards parliament. I have enough experience and knowledge to get to my target."
Read the whole article at Gulf News, published September 8