Slow start to official election day
Official election day welcomes senior officials and disabled elderly who stress the importance of voting with an objective mindset
Abu Dhabi: Reinforcing the importance of political participation and expressing gratitude to the elderly for their active participation, Suhail Mohammad Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy, cast his ballot on the Federal National Council (FNC) election’s official day of voting.
Al Mazroui said that citizens who are eligible to vote must go to polling centres to perform their national duty.
“I would also like to express my appreciation to the elderly who exercised their right to vote. Needless to say that those who are voting must elect candidates with an objective mindset, as opposed to going with someone from their family or tribe.”
The first few hours of the election witnessed a slow start at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) but welcomed several disabled elderly citizens who refrained from selecting candidates based on tribal preferences.
Striving to convey a true sense of public commitment to his country’s leadership, Ahmad Al Suwaidi cast his ballot for his desired FNC candidate at Adnec for the first time.
“I did not pick a candidate from my own tribe, but instead one who I believe can represent me,” the 77-year-old citizen explained.
Another physically challenged voter, Ali Al Hameli, 72, said that one of the candidates from his own clan did not exert any efforts to speak to him about his political campaign to win his vote.
“I chose a candidate who comes from a different tribe since he took the time to run through his proposal with me, as opposed to one of the candidates from my own clan who did not offer me the same attention,” he added.
Meanwhile, expressing feelings of disappointment at not being able to vote, a 67 year old with special needs commuted all the way from his residence, only to find out that he is ineligible to vote.
“I came today on behalf of my entire family to represent them and vote for a candidate whom we have faith in and is someone who does not belong to our tribe either,” business owner Zain Al Faisal said.
“I filed a complaint today and spoke to the organisers about this. Every national should be granted the right to vote and have a stake in the Council, which will represent them and echo their concerns.”
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, visited the Adnec centre and praised organisers’ efforts.
With inputs from Nada Al Taher, Staff Reporter
Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.
