Dubai: The second election of the Federal National Council concluded Saturday with the election of 20 members for the 40-member house from different emirates. The rest of the members will be named by the Rulers of the emirates.
Special Coverage : FNC Elections
The first election was conducted with 6,600 voters but the base for this election was expanded to 129,274 eligible voters out of 430,000 Emiratis who are above the age of 21.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Saturday said the UAE Government is working to expand the mandate of the Federal National Council.
As he toured the Dubai Trade Centre polling station Shaikh Mohammad met with the 123 FNC candidates representing Dubai.
“My gratitude to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who drafted a clear methodology that we can use to empower Emiratis... and set out the path for democracy in the UAE,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
He said Saturday’s experience was “successful”.
“The benefit of this experience is that the Emirati youth are participating in building the nation. The most important thing that we are looking for today is to expand the FNC authority,” he said.
Observers said the turnout was greater than expected at some places and credited the leaders’ messages on the eve of the election for the enthusiasm shown by the voters on election day.
Festive mood
Most of the voting process was smooth and there were no major glitches at a majority of the centres.
There were minor glitches reported in Al Ain and earlier in the morning in Ras Al Khaimah.
Nevertheless, a festive mood pervaded most of the voting centres. “It is like Eid for me or a second National Day,” a voter in Sharjah told Gulf News.
Alia Al Matroushi, daughter of candidate Huda Al Matroushi, said she could not vote as her name was not listed in the electoral college. She said she “showed up to support her mother”.
Dr Hamad Rashid Hamad Al Daheri, a candidate from Al Ain, said participating in the vote was important for him.
“Winning or losing does have significance, but I really don’t care for it,” he said, noting that he was happy that many people came out to support him.
“I am pleased and enjoying the affection of my fellow countrymen,” he said.
The voting was extended for one hour and the polls closed at 8pm to allow those voters in who could not make it earlier.
With the exception of Abu Dhabi, all the results were announced in less than an hour of the closing of the polls starting with Fujairah.
One woman has already made her way to the house. Shaikha Eisa Ganem Al Arri from Umm Al Quwain was elected to the FNC.
Full list of winners
List of winners and their serial numbers.
ABU DHABI
Salem Mohammad Al Ameri (614)
Mohammad Musallam Salem Al Ameri (779)
Mohammad Butti Salem Mousa Al Qubaisi (463)
Ahmad Mohammad Suhail Al Ameri (192)
DUBAI
Ahmad Abdul Malek Mohammad Ahli (844)
Hamad Ahmad Sultan Obaid Al Rahoumi (297)
Rashad Mohammad Sharif Bukhash (944)
Marwan Ahmad Ali Bin Ghalita (129)
SHARJAH
Ahmad Mohammad Rashid Al Jarwan (234)
Salem Mohammad Ali Howayden (711)
Musabbah Saeed Ali Hareb Al Ketbi (804)
RAS AL KHAIMAH
Ahmad Abdullah Ali Al A’mash (476)
Saeed Nasser Mohammad Al Khatiri (262)
Faisal Abdullah Ahmad Tunaiji (257)
AJMAN
Sultan Juma Ali Sultan Al Shamsi (188)
Abdullah Hamad Rashid Al Shamsi (483)
UMM AL QUWAIN
Shaikha Eisa Ganem Al Arri (892): the only woman to be elected to the new FNC
Obaid Hassan Humaid Rakkadh (811)
FUJAIRAH
Sultan Saif Sultan Saeed Al Samahi (777)
Gareeb Ahmad Gareeb Al Suraidi (877)
