First photos: Voting for UAE Federal National Council election kicks off

Voting starts: Polling has started on Wednesday (October 4) morning for the UAE Federal National Council election. There are 309 candidates including 128 females to contest this year’s polls, according to the National Elections Committee (NEC), representing strong gender representation. 


Voting in Abu Dhabi: Voting to elect members of the Federal National Council began on Wednesday morning in the election centers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Voting takes place in 3 centers designated for early voting.

Voting in Dubai: Fatima Mohammed Saeed, 75, casts her vote for the UAE Federal National Counci l(FNC) elections during the Wednesday balloting at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Candidates: There are 309 candidates including 128 females to contest this year’s polls, according to the National Elections Committee (NEC), representing strong gender representation. 


Gender Representation: Candidates began electoral campaigns on September 11, spanning 23 days. The final list boasts 41% women, totaling 128 female candidates across the emirates, while male candidates make up 59% with 181 contenders.

Emirati voters form a queue toward the polling booths at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre on Day 1 of the Federal National Council (FNC) elections on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Voter turnout: The Abu Dhabi Center witnessed a moderate turnout, with the majority preferring to vote on online. At the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, the voting process has seen a smooth flow.

Elderly voters: Voters knew the procedures required to complete the voting steps to choose their candidates. During Wednedsay’s vote, it was noted that there was a large turnout among senior citizens.

Charting the Future Together: Emirates-wise, the candidate distribution is as follows — Abu Dhabi: 118 candidates; Dubai: 57 candidates; Sharjah: 50 candidates; Ajman: 21 candidates; Ras Al Khaimah: 34 candidates; Umm Al Quwain: 14 candidates; Fujairah: 15 candidates.

Voting in Sharjah: Emiratis arrive to cast their vote for Federal National Council(FNC) elections during early voting at Sharjah Chess Club in Sharjah on Wednesday 04 October 2023.

Online voting: Online voting will continue from 9 am for 24 hours, and will end at 8 pm next Saturday. Next Friday (October 6) will be designated for online voting only, and Saturday ( October 7th) is the last day for voting.

Commitment to Excellence: Voters in the FNC elections in Sharjah. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and Chairman of the National Elections Committee, has vowed to uphold the highest electoral standards aligned with the UAE's visionary leadership's aspirations for global prominence.

Hope for the future: Nusseibeh places hope in the hands of the UAE's citizens uniting for a future that secures the nation's leading global position as it approaches its centenary.

Voters walk towards the polling booths to cast their ballots on the first day of polling for the FNC elections at a voting centre in Abu Dhabi.

A person of determination being ushered into the polling booth to cast her vote for the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) elections during the first day of balloting at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.