Fujairah: The emirate of Fujairah saw a healthy turnout of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) election on Saturday.
At least 30 voting machines were in operation at Fujairah Exhibition Centre, which is one of the three polling stations here.
Polling stations were also located at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development Centre in Masafi and at Dibba Sports Club.
Though fewer people turned up early in the morning, the turnout improved as the day progressed.
A soldier of the UAE Armed Forces, Khalifa Hamdan Al Hamoudi, who served in the ongoing war in Yemen and was injured while on duty, came to vote in a wheelchair.
The proud soldier drove all the way from the village of Bidya, some 50km from the city of Fujairah.
Among the early voters was 70-year-old Zayed Abdullah who reached the Fujairah Exhibition Centre just after 8am.
“I wanted to be among the first people to perform my national duty. I thank our leaders for giving me this opportunity to take part in the political process,” said the septuagenarian.
The voting progressed smoothly with each voter taking only 3-4 minutes to complete the process.
Among the early visitors of the centre was Ibtisam Al Loghani, one of the seven women nominees from Fujairah.
“I am really excited and I have been waiting for this day for long. I am honoured to be part of this process of change and I am confident of winning,” said Ibtisam, who also serves in the UAE Armed Forces.
Women, the elderly and young men all showed up to perform their national duty as Emirati folk songs played in the background.
Mohammad Al Kaabi, 55, a Bedouin from a remote area of Fujairah, seemed excited by the opportunity to vote. Speaking to Gulf News after casting his ballot, he said: “I thank the leaders of the UAE for giving me this chance to vote and be part of the political system. I am really happy to have come here and taken part in this national process.”
Several first-time voters came to cast their ballot. Among them was Ahmad Rashid Al Yammahi, who was impressed with the ease of the voting process. “The voting process is exceedingly easy and the arrangements are fantastic. It was wonderful taking part in the elections. I feel empowered,” said Al Yammahi.
Among the oldest voters in the emirate was 90-year-old Salem Mohammad Al Rammasi.