Housing, education are key poll issues

Abu Dhabi/Dubai: As campaigning for the upcoming FNC elections continues, more candidates are spelling out their platforms, with healthcare, housing and education in the UAE emerging as key issues.

Meanwhile 17 out of 456 candidates have withdrawn from the upcoming Federal National Council (FNC) elections set to take place from December 16 to 20, it was announced yesterday.

According to the National Election Committee (NEC), no candidates withdrew their nominations in Abu Dhabi and Ajman. Five candidates in Dubai, four in Sharjah, three each in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain and two in Fujairah withdrew from the polls.

More than 6,600 Electoral College members will elect half of the 40 FNC members from among the 439 candidates, while the rest will be nominated by the rulers.

Saturday saw a slew of campaign launches, including candidate for Dubai, Mona Bu Samra, a journalist in her early thirties, who says "new blood" needs to be injected into the FNC.

Describing herself as a "daughter of the Emirates," Mona launched her campaign in the surroundings of a traditional khaimah, or tent, with her platform focusing on issues including the lack of affordable housing.

"One thing that everyone is concerned about is housing; it is the most common issue raised. Not many people realise that some people are living three families to one house. Anyone who has a salary of less than Dh10,000 is at risk of being unable to find a home," she told Gulf News.

Mona's campaign also focuses on issues including the need to maintain Emirati identity; promoting gender equality; and working to solve unemployment through emiratisation.

Development

Another female candidate with almost two decades of experience in the field of education and child development said, if elected, she would use her background to push for educational development. Shaikha Al Mulla, director of the Dubai Childhood Development Centre at the Ministry of Education, said those devising the school syllabi in the UAE are "not qualified," adding what is needed is a better understanding of Emirati society.

Shaikha, whose platform focuses on education, has worked for the Ministry of Education for 17 years. Fighting child abuse and abuse of women also plays a significant part of her programme. She also shed light on other issues such as healthcare, saying the privatisation of health services was counter-productive as it did not guarantee equal access to healthcare for all citizens.

Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, Emirati youth are being urged to make their voices heard through a Federal Youth Parliament. Mohammad Nasser Al Mansouri, is campaigning for youth "the pulse of the country."

"The Youth Parliament aims to help young people understand what goes on in the government and gives them the opportunity to express their views and opinions to the Rulers of the Emirates, the government and the public."

Al Mansouri, 31, says such initiatives will work to enliven the political movement in the country.

"Youth MPs will debate legislation related to emiratisation, creating more jobs and supporting young entrepreneurs. They will also propose motions of no-confidence against cabinet ministers and sit on select committees. Their press gallery colleagues will be reporting on their activities and making sure they are held accountable to the public."

The parliament will also provide training in various areas.

'Don't make promises you cannot fulfil'

Some Federal National Council (FNC) candidates have voiced fears that some voters will cast their ballots on a family basis, they also anticipated turnout will be about 50 per cent.

A number of candidates and Electoral College members met at the majlis of Omran Mattar Taryam, executive managing editor of Arabic newspaper Al Khaleej to exchange views on various issues relating to UAE nationals.

Saif Bin Sa'ed, candidate and consultant for the Foreign Affairs Minister, said his main aim was emiratisation as this was very important for society.

Abdullah Bin Khadim, said there was a need to improve the education and health sector as well as tackling rising living costs.

Hamad Hareth Hamad Al Midfa'a said Electoral College members had to work on the development of the political process. He said social development must be taken into consideration.

Taryam said he would focus on issues such as education and health. He urged candidates not to make any promises they could not fulfil.