The National Election Committee (NEC) has said that a total of 469 Emiratis has been shortlisted in the preliminary list of candidates for the Federal National Council. These candidates include the list of those candidates as well other members of the Electoral College registered for FNC. Out of 469 candidates, 85 are women candidates.

Applications of those candidates, who did not meet the official requirements of NEC, have been rejected. The commission, however, declined to divulge further details regarding rejection but said that required certificate of good conduct was lacking in the application of rejected candidates.

The commission has given time up to Tuesday for objections against candidates who figured in the preliminary list. The objections would be evaluated on Wednesday and Thursday and final announcement would be made on next Sunday.

Out of the list of preliminary candidates, 124 hails from Dubai while 117 are from Abu Dhabi. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain and Fujairah have 94, 60, 34, 19 and 21 candidates respectively. The final election process would be completed through electronic voting machine.

Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for FNC Affairs and the chairman of the NEC, said, "The increase in the number of candidates in this year's elections shows the growing political awareness among the electoral college members.”