Polls a great achievement

Abu Dhabi: Emiratis on Election Day expressed strong support for empowering the Federal National Council (FNC), a top official said yesterday describing Saturday's polls as a great achievement for the UAE.

The UAE leadership's vision of promoting political participation is an integral part of the country's progress and overall development, said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee (NEC).

"The UAE citizens have expressed their strong support in empowering the FNC in its second milestone in the political development in the country," Dr Gargash said.

However, observers felt that the voting turnout at the FNC elections which was about 28 per cent was low and blamed it on the lack of electoral culture among a large segment of citizens. They said the lack of publicity and preparations and the limited mandate of the House had played a significant role and failed to pull large number of voters.

"Despite repeated calls for expanding the FNC's mandate since 2006 elections, the power of the members of the House remained unchanged, a matter which left many citizens unwilling to go to the polls," said Dr Nisreen Morad, assistant professor of political science at the UAE University.

Ahmad Bin Shabib Al Daheri, former deputy speaker of the FNC, said the drop in voter turnout to 28 per cent from 74 per cent in the 2006 elections was mainly caused by lack of parliamentary culture among citizens on the electoral rolls.