Abu Dhabi: The vast and mostly young pool of voters and possible candidates for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections in September made many Emiratis hopeful of a brighter and more democratic future.
They said they were upbeat at what they called "a great leap" the UAE's leadership has taken to extend political rights to nearly 25 per cent of the citizens eligible by age to vote.
Expressing hope the next parliamentary term in 2015 will see every citizen practising his or her full political right, Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, professor of political science at the UAE University, said the new Emirati dream is to make the UAE "the best democracy on earth". Dr Abdullah said with almost 25 per cent of citizens eligible by age going to vote in this year's elections, the UAE will certainly be in better shape.
Successful experiment
The electoral rolls with more than 129,000 Emiratis eligible to vote in and run for FNC elections, scheduled for September 24 were published yesterday. The rolls comprise 47,444 voters and possible candidates from Abu Dhabi, 37,514 from Dubai, 13,937 from Sharjah, 3,920 from Ajman, 3,285 from Umm Al Quwain, 16,850 from Ras Al Khaimah, and 6,324 from Fujairah. Some 74 per cent of them are 39 years and younger and women account for 46 per cent or almost three times those enfranchised in 2006 elections.
"The national elections with a large pool of citizens will contribute to the building of a successful parliamentary experiment..." said Ahmad Bin Shabib Al Daheri, former first deputy speaker of the FNC.
