A milestone for the nation

It may have been a limited process, but Saturday's elections were successful in every sense of the word. Considering they were the first polls in the UAE's history, the surprisingly high turnout and the subsequent results speak well of Emiratis' willingness to embrace the Federal National Council (FNC) reform process.

Voters thronged the polling centres in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah as soon as they opened. The voting was smooth and officials received only minor complaints.

Speculation was high that the majority of members of the Electoral Colleges (EC) were not interested in the indirect elections. That may have led to the cancellation of some of the "meet the candidates" get-togethers, organised by the National Elections Committee (NEC). The committee members deserve praise for a job well done. In addition to the encouraging participation numbers, another important fact was that voters' awareness was unexpectedly mature.

Those who won the trust of the voters are a mix of academics and experienced civil servants. But the real star was Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, who became the first Arab Gulf woman to win a parliamentary seat. Her performance is a victory for all UAE women and embodies the tolerance and moderation of our society.

Today, as the spotlight turns to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, it is hoped the enthusiasm will be even greater.

This week, as Minister of State for FNC Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, rightly observed, the nation's history is being written. And the future of its newly designed legislative authority is being outlined. It is important for EC members to show up and vote for those who they believe are best to carry the reform message forward. Voting is not only a national duty but also a significant contribution to the cultivation of democratic culture in the UAE.