No official data 'on number of candidates'

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: No official information has been released on the number of candidates registered to run for Federal National Council elections, said a senior official at the elections committee in Dubai.

Ahmad Humaidan, head of the Dubai elections subcommittee told Gulf News on the second day of registration for FNC candidacy that the number of registrations cited in some reports was not accurate and that no official figures will be released until November 30.

Less activity was observed yesterday with most of the registrants arriving in the early hours of the morning. There was a relative lull until another wave of candidates arrived following Maghreb prayers.

As the second day of registration for candidacy got under way yesterday in Abu Dhabi, more candidates trickled into the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to nominate themselves for the upcoming elections. By midday, around a dozen electoral college members had presented their documents.

Aisha Kajoor became the first woman to register for the FNC elections from Ajman yesterday. But it was a slower day yesterday in Ajman with only four people showing up compared to the day before. In Sharjah, more women showed up on the second day of registration. There are 12 women candidates from this emirate and many are already projecting themselves and their course of action in the FNC, through media campaigns.

In Fujairah, after an unexpectedly busy first day of registration, the second day saw a reduction in nominee numbers. In Ras Al Khaimah, at least 25 candidates registered yesterday. Umm Al Quwain saw some activity, where at least five registrations were observed.

With inputs from Mahmood Saberi, Rania Habib, Fuad Ali and Nasouh Nazzal