UAE | Government
'FNC polls first step to future'
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday pledged to "support the Federal National Council (FNC) election as a first step and build on it for the future."
- By Nasouh Nazzal, Bassma Al Jandaly, Zoi Constantine and Abbas Al LawatiStaff Reporters
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
- Shaikh Mohammad visited the Dubai polling station at the World Trade Centre to observe the second phase of the elections.
Dubai/Ras Al Khaimah: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday pledged to "support the Federal National Council (FNC) election as a first step and build on it for the future."
The first-ever elected members of the FNC from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah were announced yesterday, with seven men securing seats. No woman was elected from either emirate. Abu Dhabi saw the first woman being elected on Saturday.
Around 1,080 voters braved the rain to vote in Dubai, bringing the turnout to 71 per cent, while Ras Al Khaimah saw a 79 per cent turnout with 1,061 voters. Seventy-seven candidates were in the fray in Dubai contesting four seats. In Ras Al Khaimah, 80 candidates were contesting three seats.
Shaikh Mohammad toured the election centre and spoke to officials and the media. "The huge participation is a positive thing... We wanted to support this first step and build on it in the future," he said.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said the turnout in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah was very encouraging.
In Dubai, the eighth highest number of votes went to a female candidate which disappointed voters.
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Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain go to the polls tomorrow.
- With additional inputs from Bassam Za'za and Alia Al Theeb
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