Dubai: Polling centres for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections opened its doors across all the emirates to receive voters today at 8am.
There was a buzz at one of the polling stations at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Voters were greeted with an abundance of smiles from candidates and the organisers who warmly helped them through the entire process.
There was much enthusiasim and optimism which could be felt and obviously seen on the faces of both voters and candidates.
The hallways of the Centre which was leading to the polling stations were filled with voters, candidates, organisers, and the media. There was a significance presence of women as much as men, with many stopping a few times to greet aquiantences as they walked their way to the hall where they would decide to whom their vote would be given.
Candidates also made their presence felt. With big smiles drawn on their faces, some candidates were seen standing in circles with their supporters or family members. Others sat eagerly on tables of close by coffee shops, standing occasionally and extending a hand shake to a supporter and a possible voter. And one thing which all the candidates - both men and women - shared was their relentless eye contact whenever a voter passed by.
Before entering the main hall where the voter casting is to take place, voters go through a metal detector and a security check. Then no sooner they are in the hall, men and women are required to go to their designated areas.
There was ample number of organisers at hand to assist the voters. One of the significant observations at the polling station that many of the organisers were young, energetic and upbeat. They were leading the voters to an area where mock voting machines were set up and give them a step by step demonstration on how the system functions.
Following the brief introduction, voters are asked to move on to the counters where their National Identification cards are checked. After the check voters proceeded towards the actual voting machines where they will determine their right to vote.
There was much support given by the organisers where many would keep reminding oters of the necessary steps that need to be taken. Once voters cast their vote, the selection comes in a print out which is then taken and dropped in the ballot box. The entire process was smooth and without any obstacles or delay.
For the UAE, today’s elections mark the second phase of the FNC elections. A total of 129, 274 voters listed on the Electoral College across the emirates are to vote for 450 candidates of which 85 are women.
