Today is a historic day as more than 220,000 UAE citizens in the Electoral College vote for the 20 elected members of the next Federal National Council (FNC). It is very important that as many voters as possible exercise their responsibility, bringing the widest sense possible of public commitment to the successful governance of the country. It will be the third time that direct elections have happened, which shows the growing sense of institutional connection between the people and the government.
The FNC is an integral part of the way the UAE runs its affairs. The assembly has the duty to monitor legislation and to call ministers to account, sometimes to answer awkward questions. This makes it an important route by which the concerns of citizens are articulated to the government.
The current election campaign has been invaluable for the public good as the candidates have highlighted a wide variety of issues about which they knew the voters and citizens were deeply concerned. This will allow voters to choose candidates that they know will be active and will carry out their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
The campaigning has been an opportunity for a useful debate on public issues, which has mainly focused on domestic concerns. A startling variety of issues have been brought to the fore, which should not be overlooked by the new FNC, which would do well to look into them.
Some of the voters have already used the early polling days to make their choices, but today’s immediate priority is for all voters who have not yet done so to make their way to the polls and make their choice for the assembly that will represent them for the next session. By doing so, they will be taking part in an important political process of the country that has delivered unprecedented prosperity and political stability. This is something to cherish very deeply and the active participation of the voters is part of this national process.
