Saturday, Sep 24, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai At least three candidates claim to have been approached by voters offering to sell their votes. However, the National Election Committee (NEC) has denied receiving any complaints in this regard and has asked candidates to report such cases.
Tarek Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council, NEC Member and Chairman of the Election Management Committee, told Gulf News: “Buying or selling votes is an illegal practice, however there is no case reported to the NEC until today. ”
“Voters or candidates adopting such practices, if proven guilty after investigations, will lose their legitimacy and will face legal questioning.”
A female candidate told an electoral meeting that they were being approached by voters who asked for up to Dh10,000 to vote for them. The candidates called on the authorities to investigate and punish those involved in such practices.
Khuloud Ebrahim claimed that a voter approached her offering to vote for her if she agreed to pay them. But when she turned down his offer, he told her that neither he nor any of his colleagues or relatives will vote for her.
Another female voter demanded Dh3,000 per vote.
Another candidate, Fathia Al Khumairi, came across a similar offer from voters. “I will give you my vote if you will pay me,” is what some voters told Fathia.
Lootah remarked that NEC has already launched an awareness programme for candidates in an effort to create awareness on all aspects of the electoral process.
“The NEC has strived to communicate with various parties concerned regarding the electoral process and to build awareness and educate them on political participation and the rights and duties of voters and candidates,” he said.
By Zaher Bitar?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
