Election winners get official approval

Abu Dhabi: The National Election Committee yesterday approved the winners of the Federal National Council elections, held from December 16 to 20.

The Council praised the success, organisation and the high turnout at the first polls in the country.

Headed by Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, the Committee said the average turnout across the emirates was 74.4 per cent, which shows patriotism and awareness of the members of the Electoral College and their determination to make a success the programme of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to give the citizens a greater role in the political process.

The committee praised Shaikh Khalifa's speech to the country marking the end of the polls, in which he congratulated the winners and told them that the trust of the voters is a responsibility that should be shouldered in the best interest of the country and citizens.

The Committee also highly valued the appeal His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, made to members of the Electoral College to actively participate in the elections and to interact positively with the historic event with a huge turnout.