UAE | General
Surgery patient leaves hospital to vote on last day of Iraq polls
Thousands turn out to exercise franchise
- By Bassam Za'za and Mohammad Shamseddine, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:31 May 3, 2009
Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The pain of instability in Iraq is stronger than the pain of a loyal Iraqi who insisted on leaving his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, where he is being treated for diabetes, and going to vote.
"The patient, Abu Louay, a merchant, had had leg surgery and came in a wheelchair after insisting that paramedics drive him to the Zayed Sports City to cast his vote," Shukria Bajalan, Director of the Abu Dhabi voting centre, told Gulf News yesterday.
The balloting process was successful in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as thousands of Iraqis cast their votes on the last day.
She said the voters came in large numbers because it was a weekend. "The first two days were somewhat quiet because most people were busy at work," she said.
Thirty people came to vote from Bahrain, in addition to voters from Qatar and Oman, said Shukria.
Dr Reda Al Shahrestani, an expert at the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, told Gulf News that more than 6,000 people voted in Dubai's Global Village and 2,000 in Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City yesterday. He estimated the number of voters had increased 30 per cent compared to the last elections.
Uday a 35-year-old engineer said: "We hope these elections bring democracy and prosperity to our beloved country."
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Smart e-Gate system launched
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
