Sharjah approves candidates list for milestone council poll

On Sunday, the Sharjah Election Committee announced the initial list of approved candidates for the election at the end of this month, which is the first local election in the history of the country.

SHARJAH// Two hundred candidates have been approved to stand for the 21 seats on the Sharjah Consultative Council.

On Sunday, the Sharjah Election Committee announced the initial list of approved candidates for the first local election in the history of the country.

The list includes 43 women.

In Sharjah city, 96 applications, including 25 women, were approved to compete for six seats.

The eastern region has had the second-highest number of candidates, with 30 competing in Khor Fakkan and 23 in Kalba for three seats in each district.

Twelve candidates registered in Al Dhaid, Dibba Al Hisn has 10 candidates, Al Hamriya and Al Batayeh registered six candidates each, Mleiha has nine and Al Maqam, eight.

Khalid Al Midfa, head of media for the committee, said each application was vetted to make sure that candidates complied with the regulations.

He said 79 were rejected as they failed to provide clearance of criminal records letters.

From Monday, the elections committee will allow the public two days to appeal against any of the candidates’ suitability to run.

A final list will be announced on January 12, with the official two-week campaign period to begin the following day.

The candidates will compete for half of the 42 seats of the council, with the rest appointed by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.