Sheikh Khaleifa to crown UAE reforms with direct elections

The President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan said that the partial elections his country intends to organize is the first step towards more reforms that will be crowned in carrying out full direct elections.

The United Arab Emirates UAE news agency quoted Sheikh Khaleifa as saying that he will propose to the Federal National Council, which will be formed according to the new measure, by a proposal to amend the constitution of the UAE, so as to enhance the authorities of the council and increase its members, under the condition that the council will take necessary measures to convene direct elections.

Sheikh Khaleifa explained that this decision states that the ruler of each of the seven UAE emirates is to form a local council, as a first phase, from 100 folds as a minimum, the number of the representatives of each Emirate in the federal National Council. These local councils will elect from its members half members the representatives of each Emirate in the National Council and the ruler of each Emirate would appoint the other half of representatives in the council.

Sheikh Khaleifa stressed the importance of achieving a vaster and more effective participation of the UAE people, men and women, in the process of building and development.

Sheikh Khaleifa announced on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE that his country will organize partial parliamentary elections.