About the Committee

The National Election Committee (NEC) was formed in February 2011 under Decree no. (2) for 2011 issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (may Allah protect him), amending some provisions of the President's Decree no. (3) for 2006 with respect to determining the way of selecting the representatives of the emirates in the FNC. Article (1) of the Decree stipulates the mechanism of forming a national electoral Committee to be chaired by Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and to consist of the following members: Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Secretary General of Ministry of Presidential Affairs, a representative of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Under-secretary of Ministry of Interior, Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, Assistant Under-secretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and three public figures to be named by the NEC chairman.

The NEC held its first meeting at Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace on 23 February 2011. The current NEC has seen an increase in the number of its members and its membership currently incorporates a larger section of representatives of influential organizations and entities concerned with regulating the electoral process in addition to three public figures. This reflects the keenness on benefiting from the NEC's 2006 experience for regulating the 2011 FNC elections.