Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday congratulated people of the UAE on the first free and democratic elections to select half of the Federal National Council members, which gets under way today.
In an address to the nation, Shaikh Mohammad described the FNC as the "real representative of the people and the conduit that links people with the executive authority to translate their demands and aspirations for decent, prosperous and dignified life."
More than 2,100 voters will head to polling stations in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah today to select six members for the 40-seat FNC in the first phase of elections.
Upholding principles
Shaikh Mohammad urged members of the electoral colleges who represent different segments of the society to embody, through exercising their voting rights, the principles of interdependence, solidarity, loyalty to the country and allegiance to its leadership and to avoid extremism and factionalism which do not serve the interests of the country and its citizens.
He stressed the importance of democratic implementation of the national reforms programme launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which centres on optimising political and democratic process so that every citizen can enjoy the freedom of expression and elect people capable of enhancing the council's role.
Shaikh Mohammad said he has an unwavering confidence in the ability of UAE citizens to demonstrate their responsibility and to reflect the country's values and traditions in the elections. He prayed to Allah to protect and cherish President and people of the UAE.
