This photo shows the logo of the National Election Committee.

The National Election Committee (NEC), tasked with organising the fourth cycle of elections to the Federal National Council (FNC), announced that the candidate registration process for FNC membership will commence tomorrow (18 August) in nine centres across the UAE. The registration centres will continue to accept candidate applications until August 22.

The Committee also underscored that those seeking to contest the FNC elections should comply with the constitutional requirements of being a citizen of the UAE, and permanent resident of the emirate they are seeking to represent. They should not be less than 25 years of age (born on or before October 4, 1994). A knowledgeable and literary person of sound reputation capable of discharging his or her civic responsibilities, the candidate should not have been convicted of any offences linked with their behaviour, unless they have undergone rehabilitation for such behaviour in accordance with the law.

The Committee confirmed that eligible candidates keen to contest the elections must submit their applications to the concerned Emirates Committee within the specified period during the official working hours (from 8am to 3pm).

According to the timeline of the fourth Federal National Council (FNC) election cycle, the announcement of the preliminary list of candidates will be made on August 25, while that of the final list of candidates is scheduled for September 3.

NEC has identified the centres well ahead of the election process to allow candidates to reach the centres on time and complete the formalities. In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, several centres have been identified, including the headquarters of Abu Dhabi Committee on the second floor of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). In Al Ain, the chairman hall at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium is a designated candidate registration centre, along with Zayed City Council in Al Dhafra.