Abu Dhabi - MENA Herald: His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee, commended the elections to the Sharjah Advisory Council stating that the electoral process highlighted the maturity of parliamentary experience, and marked a new step in the efforts to strengthen political participation and empower citizens in the decision-making process.
On the occasion of the elections, HE Dr. Gargash said that the political empowerment programme, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2005, represents a distinguished approach in political development and enhancing the political awareness of the citizens, encouraging them to actively participate in the overall development process of the UAE.
“The elections to the Sharjah Advisory Council, which was launched under the directions His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, comes as a new element in the political empowerment, reinforcing the concepts of the electoral process among community members and encouraging them to take part in the decision-making process in Sharjah,” HE Dr. Gargash said.
HE Dr. Gargash pointed out that the wise vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi will enable the Sharjah Advisory Council to play key roles in meeting citizens’ needs, and enable the citizens to take part in the electoral process by excercising their votes and standing as candidates for membership in the Council.
HE Dr. Gargash praised the efforts of the Higher Committee for Elections of Sharjah Advisory Council to set up centres for the registration of voters in various areas in the emirate. He also commended the citizens for turning out at the registration centres, and said their active participation highlighted the political awareness of community members in the electoral process.
HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi had issued during last June a law amending some provisions of Law No. 03 of 1999 on the establishment of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah. Law No. 09 of 2015 stipulated the amendment of Articles 03, 04, 07, 16, 17 and 25 of Law No. 03 of 1999.
Article No. 03 stipulated that the Sharjah Advisory Council will consist of 42 members, half of them chosen through elections organised by an Emiri decree, and the other half appointed by the Sharjah Ruler.