UAE | Government
Candidates file papers for elections in Abu Dhabi
Candidates started trooping in to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday morning.
- By Mohammad Shamseddine, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
- Candidates start to registers at the FNC elections counter at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Image Credit: Prasad Nair/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Candidates started trooping in to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday morning.
They came from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region to register their names as per a procedure which they described as 'smooth and very easy.'
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, who visited the registration centre, said this marked the first step in the initiative by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for partial elections of the members of the Federal National Council.
"This step will make a qualitative shift in the political life of the UAE and will increase more political participation by Emaratis," he said.
Dr Gargash also stressed the role women can play in the political life in the UAE. "As women play an important role in all sectors in the UAE, they can also play the role in the elections. Women, as well as men have the chance now to play a big role in serving their country," he said.
Ali Mohammad Al Mansouri, 33, a candidate, said he decided to register as "this is one of the issues important to the UAE, and every effort from every individual in the country is needed." Al Mansouri wants to concentrate on the youth and make use of their potential, in addition to issues of unemployment, emiratisation and education.
Saeed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, 28, another candidate, said: "I hope my participation will encourage the youth and increase their representation in decision-making," he said.
Fakhira Ali Al Rumaithi, the first woman to register as a candidate, is an Arabic language teacher at Al Dana School. She said: "I will concentrate on women's rights and education."
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