The registration of candidates to contest half of the 40 Federal National Council (FNC) exceeded all expectations.
More than 450 candidates have registered to run for the FNC elections. The numbers makes up seven per cent of the members of the electoral college.
The strong turnout is delightful as it indicates that both the members of the electoral college and the Emiratis are extremely excited and ready to exercise their natural right to run for the elections and to vote as well.
It also mirrors the enthusiasm of the UAE nationals for exercising such a democratic experience and gaining parliamentary skills. Yet, this excessive rush by Emirati men and women to file nomination papers poses a burden to the election process and makes it difficult for the few serious candidates.
No doubt that not all those who registered for the elections are really serious about their nomination. Some nominees decided to contest for the FNC polls for personal motives, not national ones. These motives are related to prestige and reputation, and the perk of a one-month paid leave.
On the other hand, some candidates have humble, unconvincing manifestos, which show their unawareness of the key rules of parliamentary work, constitutional amendment and the legislative role to be played by the next FNC.
Out of the 456 candidates, only a few are genuine and persuasive, as they are armed with experience, knowledge and a national agenda, besides being devoted and responsible for the FNC membership.
Full dedication by the elected and appointed members is very important. Those who are not willing to dedicate their full time for the FNC are not serious about it and will not be able to shoulder their responsibilities.
Hence, it is better for them to withdraw from the election contest. Furthermore, the local governments are required not to appoint candidates to the FNC if the candidates are not qualified and not dedicated.
Membership of the FNC must not be combined with any other occupation, be it a private business or a public position. Only the qualified, serious and devoted few are eligible to represent the UAE people.
When the competition is confined to candidates who meet these conditions, voting will be based on the candidate's national agenda rather than his status and prominence.
Voting is a national responsibility, which must not be subject to courtesy and personal considerations. This raises many questions about voting criteria, and whether nomination is based on personal or national motives?
Manifesto
People should give their votes to the candidate who has a clear national manifesto that meets the requirements of the FNC's exceptional and transitional stage.
Obviously, there is no ideal, unified and custom-made manifesto that suits all 456 candidates. This is simply because the candidates have various backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and aspirations.
However, the common factor for all manifestos is the candidate's pre-understanding that the FNC member does not only represent himself or his emirate but the UAE people.
The member should adopt his country's interests and national issues and his people's right to enjoy a free, safe and decent life. In fact, the candidate who adopts a realistic national programme, and does not give inapplicable and unbelievable promises deserves to be voted for.
Any serious, constructive and persuasive manifesto should comprise two key terms.
First is the constitutional term that consists of the candidate's vision on activating the FNC's role and widening its constitutional powers. The next council would be more of a public constitutional authority than an ordinary national council.
So, the candidate, who sincerely strives for amending the constitution in a way that allows for elevating the ceiling of the FNC's legislative and supervisory powers as high as possible, is the serious one.
Those who try hard to broaden the council's powers, so as to be a strong and independent council capable of monitoring, surveillance and questioning the government and its policies, deserve to be trusted by the voters.
The candidate who fearlessly and clearly express the wishes of the UAE people to build their future and debate their national issues with a great deal of freedom and transparency, is worthy of winning the candidacy.
Second on the manifesto is the legal term, which consists of the candidate's vision on updating laws and reconsidering all federal legislations.
It is important for the contestant in the elections to announce his frank, bold and clear stand towards a host of laws issued lately, and which may lead to radical changes in the fabric of society.
Among these are citizenship and foreign ownership laws, besides laws on the rights of the exhausted Emirati government employees, whose rights must not be abandoned.
Nothing is more important than the constitutional amendment, except modernising and reconsidering all federal legislations, and the laws issued in the past two years.
Hence, those who work for the interest of the country and its nationals, and to modernise laws, empower UAE nationals and rationalise economic growth, considering the social, humanitarian and environmental aspects, will definitely gain trust and win.
The candidate who meets all these conditions should work to establish the federation entity, stress the national identity, reduce living costs and life burdens and end unemployment.
Candidates should consider the sensitive situation of the UAE, which resulted from the dangers and challenges that coincided with the demographic imbalance. They also must realise that although the UAE has achieved a great economic boom, it is facing grave challenges.
The candidate's manifesto should have an answer to the question: How could the UAE maintain its economic prosperity and remain at the top, while working to find a solution to the demographic imbalance?
The candidate who has the answer to this question along with a vision for a prosperous, free and stable future, deserves a sweeping victory.
Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah is a professor of political science at the UAE University, Al Ain.
