The UAE’s National Elections Committee has revealed an initial list of 309 candidates who will stand for the upcoming Federal National Council elections. Among them, 128 are female candidates, making up about 41% of the total, while 36 candidates (11%) fall between the ages of 25 and 35.The FNC elections are scheduled to be held on October 7. Abu Dhabi has the highest number of candidates with 118, followed by Dubai with 57, Sharjah with 50, and Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah with 21, 34, 14, and 15 candidates respectively. The full list of candidates can be found on the National Election Committee website.

The election process involves a timeline of key dates. Candidates can appeal against their candidacy between August 26 and 28. The National Elections Committee will review appeals from August 29 to 31, and the final list of candidates will be announced on September 2.The election campaigns will commence on September 11 and will last for 23 days. Candidates have until September 26 to withdraw their names.

Only Emiratis listed on the Electoral College List are eligible to vote in the FNC elections.The FNC is the UAE’s consultative parliament, consisting of 40 members, with 20 elected representatives and 20 appointed by the Rulers of each emirate.Candidates must be Emirati, permanent residents of the emirate they wish to represent, and at least 25 years old.