'Political modernisation under way'

Abu Dhabi/Fujairah: The historic election of 20 Federal National Council members will lead to greater political participation and a robust council, said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

The minister said all indications are encouraging and the e-voting process, which he said was among the first in the world, has witnessed an impressive participation from women as candidates and voters.

"Today we started the implementation of political modernisation and greater political participation in the country, providing a platform for a robust Federal National Council [FNC]. The process is working very well. It is the first step a small one but a significant and historic one," Dr Gargash told a packed press conference during his visit to the polling station in Abu Dhabi.

"No election is free of irregularities. But for the UAE's electorate and candidates, the experiment is new and yet they are not professionals in manipulating the voting process. There were minor irregularities and rumours but these rumours were not confirmed or documented, thus there is no need to address such speculations," he said. "In future, with the process expanding further, we will definitely have more polling stations across the country."

He said he was satisfied with the voting system, particularly e-voting, adding that the technology used for e-voting is one of the best in the world, and produces fast and transparent results.

The voting began sharp at 8am with the first vote cast by former speaker and a two-time member of FNC, Ahmad Shabeeb Al Daheri.

Abu Dhabi elected four members, including the emirate's first elected female council member.

Amal Abdullah Juma Karam Al Qubaisi was the third top scorer in the election with 265 votes in her favour. The other winners in Abu Dhabi were Mohammad Mohammad Ali Fadil Al Hameli with 304 votes, Ahmad Shabeeb Al Daheri, former FNC Deputy Speaker, with 302 votes and Rashid Musabah Al Kindi Ali Marar with 194 votes, securing the fourth place.

No irregularities

Observers from the Journalists Association did not find any irregularities in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of the association, heading a team of 25 observers, said only minor complaints with had no negative impact were recorded on the first day and they were addressed.

In Fujairah, Sultan Ahmad Al Moadhen Danhani created a small upset by storming to a 122-votes-to-94 win ahead of favourite Ahmad Saeed Abdullah Al Danhani, both from Dibba Al Fujairah.

Moza Al Kha'al, Fujairah's sole woman candidate managed to pull a disappointing five votes but she will take heart by finishing ahead of six male candidates.

E-voting: System wins praise from visiting minister

A visiting Bahraini minister said yesterday he was impressed by the e-voting system used in the FNC elections.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Atta Allah Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Cabinet Affairs, witnessed the first round of elections in Abu Dhabi. The minister is visiting the country on invitation from Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, UAE Minister of State for FNC Affairs, to witness the pioneering e-voting experience in the UAE.

Shaikh Ahmad congratulated the UAE on what he called a "great achievement" as the process started smoothly and in a transparent manner. He said he was impressed with the organisation of the polling and that Bahrain would introduce a similar e-voting system in the 2010 parliamentary and municipal elections.

Shaikh Ahmad termed the voter turnout as "excellent" and said that e-voting would encourage people to participate.

- Samir Salama, Bureau Chief, and Nissar Hoath, Staff Reporter