His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee, commended the elections to the Sharjah Advisory Council stating that the electoral procedure highlighted the maturity of parliamentary experience, and marked a brand-new step in the efforts to reinforce political participation and empower citizens in the decision-making procedure.

On the event of the elections, HE Dr. Gargash said that the political empowerment program, released by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2005, represents a recognized method in political development and boosting the political awareness of the residents, motivating them to actively take part in the overall advancement procedure of the UAE.

"The elections to the Sharjah Advisory Council, which was released under the directions His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, comes as a brand-new element in the political empowerment, strengthening the concepts of the electoral process among neighborhood members and motivating them to participate in the decision-making procedure in Sharjah," HE Dr. Gargash said.

HE Dr. Gargash explained that the wise vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi will enable the Sharjah Advisory Council to play key roles in conference people' needs, and allow the residents to participate in the electoral process by excercising their votes and standing as prospects for subscription in the Council.

HE Dr. Gargash praised the efforts of the Higher Committee for Elections of Sharjah Advisory Council to set up centres for the registration of voters in various areas in the emirate. He also applauded the people for turning out at the registration centres, and said their active participation highlighted the political awareness of community members in the electoral procedure.

HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi had actually provided during last June a law changing some arrangements of Law No. 03 of 1999 on the establishment of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah. Law No. 09 of 2015 specified the modification of Articles 03, 04, 07, 16, 17 and 25 of Law No. 03 of 1999.

Article No. 03 specified that the Sharjah Advisory Council will consist of 42 members, half of them picked through elections arranged by an Emiri decree, and the other half designated by the Sharjah Ruler.