Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Federal national council shall be composed of forty members. Seats shall be distributed to member Emirates as follows:
8 seats for Abu Dhabi. 8 seats for Dubai. 6 seats for Sharjah. 6 seats for Ras Al Khaimah. 4 seats for Ajman. 4 seats for Fujairah. 4 seats for Umm Al Quwain.
Source: Constitution, art. 68:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments: The Federal national council shall be composed of forty members. Seats shall be distributed to member Emirates as follows:
8 seats for Abu Dhabi. 8 seats for Dubai. 6 seats for Sharjah. 6 seats for Ras Al Khaimah. 4 seats for Ajman. 4 seats for Fujairah. 4 seats for Umm Al Quwain.
Source: Constitution, art. 68: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 68:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
h . Other
Comments: The president is elected by the Supreme Council of the Union, consisting of the rulers of the emirates making up the union. The Supreme Council of the Union shall elect from among its members a President and a Vice President of the Union.
Source: Constitution, art. 46 & 51: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, with the consent of the Supreme Council.
Source: Constitution, art. 54 (5): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Supreme Council of the Union shall elect from among its members a President of the Union and a Deputy to the President of the Union. The Deputy President of the Union shall exercise all the powers of the President in the event of his absence for any reason.
Source: Constitution, art. 51 - 54: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Federal National Council is composed of 40 members selected from the Emirates members.
Source: Constitution, art. 68:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Standing Orders of the Federal National Council, art. 1-3
Verified: 2019/09/25
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
c . Block Vote
Comments: 20 members of the National Federal Council are appointed and 20 members are elected by electoral colleges.
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2333.htm (2012)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation e . Other
Comments: Each Emirate shall be free to determine the method of selection of the citizens representing it in the Federal National Council.
Source: Cabinet Order No (4) of 2006, Last updated on 16 February 2011 (decree no. 2 of 2011);
Constitution, art. 69: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: Each Emirate shall be free to determine the method of selection of the citizens representing it in the Federal National Council unless the national elections
Source: Cabinet Order No (4) of 2006, Last updated on 16 February 2011 (decree no. 2 of 2011);
Constitution, art. 69: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2333.htm (2012)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
e . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2015/09/28
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: http://www.uaenec.ae/en/about-us/national-committee-functions.aspx
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: http://www.uaenec.ae/en/about-us/national-committee-functions.aspx (2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: http://www.uaenec.ae/en/about-us/national-committee-functions.aspx (2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
a . For the election period only
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: http://www.uaenec.ae/en/about-us/national-committee-functions.aspx (2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments: The National Electoral Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and consists of the following members: Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Secretary General of Ministry of Presidential Affairs, a representative of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Under-secretary of Ministry of Interior, Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, Assistant Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and three public figures named by the NEC chairman.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/national-committee-functions(2012)
http://www.uaenec.ae/en/voter/member
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
f . No information available
Comments: The National Electoral Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and consists of the following members: Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Secretary General of Ministry of Presidential Affairs, a representative of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Under-secretary of Ministry of Interior, Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, Assistant Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and three public figures named by the NEC chairman.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/members(2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: The National Electoral Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and consists of the following members: Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Secretary General of Ministry of Presidential Affairs, a representative of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Under-secretary of Ministry of Interior, Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, Assistant Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and three public figures named by the NEC chairman.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/about-the-committee (2019)
Verified: 2019/09/25
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
i . Other
Comments: The National Electoral Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and consists of the following members: Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Secretary General of Ministry of Presidential Affairs, a representative of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Under-secretary of Ministry of Interior, Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, Assistant Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and three public figures named by the NEC chairman.
Voting can be done from both inside and outside the UAE:
Voters inside the UAE may cast their votes through the electronic voting system at the allocated polling stations in each Emirate. Voter verification is integrated with the voting system; whereas the voter will present a valid Emirates ID to verify his/her identity before entering his vote. The system also allows data entry, processing, organizing and monitoring. The electronic voting system has been adopted due to several characteristics, which make it better than the more traditional voting system (of paper slips and ballot boxes), notably, ease of use by voters, efficiency and speed as the system makes the whole electoral process more efficient, and has less margin of error when voter cast their vote.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/about-the-committee(2012)
http://www.uaenec.ae/en/voter/how-to-vote
Verified: 2019/09/25
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
l . No voter education and information campaigns conducted m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2019/09/25
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2019/09/25
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No n . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2019/09/25
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
g . Other (specify)
Comments: The minimum age is 25. However, each Emirate shall be free to determine the method of selection of the citizens representing it in the Federal National Council, as well as the minimum age of voters.
Source: Constitution, art. 69: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf(2015)
Inter Parliamentar Union: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2333_B.htm (2015)
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html
Verified: 2019/09/25
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
e . Other
Comments: Each Emirate shall be free to determine the method of selection of the citizens representing it in the Federal National Council, as well as the legal qualifications for voters.
Source: Constitution, art. 69: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf(2015)
Verified: 2019/09/25
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
g . Not applicable
Comments: Only the members of the Electoral College have the right to vote in legislative elections.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/national-committee-functions(2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Only the members of the Electoral College have the right to vote in legislative elections.
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/national-committee-functions(2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: - Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015);
- UAE Federal Law governing publications and publishing No. 15 for 1980: http://www.tag-legal.com/Upload/file/IP/UAE/Publication%20and%20Publishing%20law.pdf (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence i . Minimum level of literacy j . Other
Comments: A member of the Federal National Council must satisfy the following conditions:
1) Must be a citizen of one of the Union Emirates, and permanently resident in the Emirate represented in the Council.
2) Must be not less than twenty-five years old at the time of his selection.
3) Must enjoy his/her civil rights, must have good conduct, sound reputation and must not have been previously convicted for a dishonorable offense unless he has been acquitted in accordance with the law.
4) Must have adequate knowledge of reading and writing.
Source: Constitution, art. 70: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf(2012).
Verified: 2019/09/25
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Only independent candidates can compete in legislative elections, given that there are no political parties in UAE. Candidates must be nominated by qualified electors and pay a non-reimbursable deposit of 1,000 UAE dirhams (219 euro).
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2333.htm (2019)).
Verified: 2019/09/25
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
f . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015)
Verified: 2019/09/25
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
b . The polling centre
Comments:
Source: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/428239-voting-centre-locations-revealed-for-uaes-fnc-election
Verified: 2019/09/25
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/08/22
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Although the UAE’s constitution provides for some freedom of expression, the government restricts this right in practice. The 1980 Publications and Publishing Law,considered one of the most restrictive press laws in the Arab world, regulates all aspects of the media.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015);
Federal Law No. 15, 1980 governing publications and publishing:
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/62110/65257/E80ARE01.htm (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
b . 2-3 days
Comments: For the first time, the NEC (Electoral Management Body) have removed the 48-hour period of “election silence" prior the election day
Source: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/timeline-for-uae-s-largest-election-to-date-set-out-1.881385
Verified: 2019/09/25
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source: Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015).
Verified: 2019/09/25
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf (2012).
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: hhttps://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments: There are no provisions for referenda.
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments: There are no provisions for referenda.
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2019/09/25
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the National Electoral Committee: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/about-us/about-the-committee (2012)
Verified: 2019/09/25
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: the NCE also announced the availability of 118 polling stations outside the UAE in its embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions
Source: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/428239-voting-centre-locations-revealed-for-uaes-fnc-election
Verified: 2019/09/25
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments: the NCE also announced the availability of 118 polling stations outside the UAE in its embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions
Source: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/428239-voting-centre-locations-revealed-for-uaes-fnc-election
Verified: 2019/09/25
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots d . Electronic voting machine
Comments:
Source: https://www.uaenec.ae/ar/executive-instructions
Verified: 2019/09/25
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
Forgot your password?
