Sharjah24: Senior Sharjah officials have underscored the historic importance of the Emirate’s electoral experience and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in involving citizens in parliamentary experience through membership in the Sharjah Consultative Council and community partnership. They also praised the large turnout of citizens – 51,637 male and female voters -- to register themselves at the designated electoral bodies.
The officials pointed out that the third session of the Sharjah Consultative Council elections in 2023 is proving its remarkable success by the day in enhancing citizens’ participation in decision-making and communicating their voice to decision-makers, which is reflected in strengthening communication between the Council and society and directing the emirate’s policies towards a sustainable and prosperous future.
Top Sharjah officials lauded the growing role of the SCC since its establishment in 1999, in supporting the development and sustainable policies of the Sharjah Government.
Taking citizens’ voices to decision makers
Senior Sharjah officials lauded the role of the Council in supporting the development journey of the emirate and society, and assisting government agencies in implementing their plans and programmes as well as their future journey and aspirations in accordance with the vision and directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.
The officials agreed on the importance of continuing citizens’ participation in the electoral process, responsibly and honestly, as an expression of belonging and loyalty and involvement in decision-making. They stressed the importance of citizens continuing their role in contributing to the final stage of the electoral process that Sharjah is witnessing by participating in voting and choosing who represents them in the Council for half of the SCC seats.
A forward-looking vision
Speaking about the ongoing preparations for the tird edition of the upcoming SCC polls, HE Engineer Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, Chairman of Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources, said, the forward-looking vision of His Highness the Sharjah Ruler, which sought to establish the principle of consultation and boost the participation of citizens in serving their country and their countrymen.
He added, "It created conditions that contributed to the development of community awareness about the importance of the elections.This has generated greater buzz and citizens’ response than ever before."
Al Shamsi pointed out the huge public turnout by both men and women for voter registration at the nine electoral bodies with with national pride and patriotic feeling suggests that voters are aware of their rights and responsibilities as voters and candidates, with the aim of achieving consultation to reach the desired goals. He stressed his department’s keenness to support the active participation of citizens by enhancing awareness and encouraging interaction.
Al Shamsi asserted that participation in the electoral process as candidates or voters is a national duty that reflects awareness, responsibility and sense of belonging to the homeland. He called for choosing the most capable and competent of candidates to represent the emirate’s citizenry and take up their issues and express their aspirations.
Strengthening electoral experience
Dr. Khaled Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams) who has peviously served as a member of the SCC, pointed out that the Council has made huge strides in establishing and strengthening the Emirate’s electoral experience in the past two sessions stressing these successes and indicators call for optimism about the voters’ turnout. He lauded the efforts and initiatives for modernisation and expanded participation of citizens in the electoral process.
Dr Al Midfa noted the positive impact of the elections and their role in serving the present and future generations, and achieving the ambitions and future aspirations of the people of the Emirate of Sharjah.
The Shams Chairman stressed that participation in the elections is a right and a national duty, and the electoral experience is important in strengthening the principle of consultation and transparency.
‘Participate in decision making’
Dr Al Midfa pointed out that the SCC elections allow citizens to choose their representatives responsibly and transparently. The citizens have an opportunity to answer the call of national duty and “Participate in decision making,” which is the slogan of the SCC polls, he added.
“By taking part in the polls, citizens can contribute to government decisions and achieve development and sustainability in the Emirate,” said Dr Al Midfa, pointing out that active participation contributes to to create a Consultative Council that is both effective and efficient.
A journey of success
Ali Ahmed Ali Abu Ghazin, Chairman of Sharjah Fish Resources Authority, underscored the importance of the Consultative Council experience, which has achieved remarkable success since its inception, representing the farsighted vision of HH the Ruler of Sharjah, in implementing the principle of ‘shura’ (consultation) and his goals and objectives for the Council.
Abu Ghazin added that the Emirate of Sharjah is sparing no effort to make its national festival a huge success, which is reflected in the keenness of its people to participate in registering for electoral bodies to exercise their vote and and select right candidates as their representatives.
He also lauded the efforts of the Supreme Committee for SCC Elections to ensure all required arrangements, tools, mechanisms and manpower are in place to conduct free and fair polls.
Abu Ghazin noted that the voter registration process takes less than a minute, saying the unprecendented turnout for the registration process has been made possible thanks to the diligence efforts of relevant agencies and officials to serve the nation and participate in this national celebration.
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