Voter turnout encouraging: Gargash

Dubai/Ras Al Khaimah: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday praised the "huge participation" that lead to seven candidates being elected to the new Federal National Council yesterday.

The successful candidates from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah were given encouragement by Shaikh Mohammad who pledged his support for the new council.

"The huge participation is a positive thing and what pleases me most is the participation of women," Shaikh Mohammad said. "We want to support this first step in the process and build on this in the future."

Shaikh Mohammad arrived at the polling station in Dubai at 11.45am, addressing candidates and touring the venue with Minister of State for FNC Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash.

Shocked

Dr Gargash described the 71 per cent turnout in Dubai and 79 per cent in Ras Al Khaimah as "very encouraging." "We are voting for the first time and we are very pleased and enthusiastic about this process. Especially in a region where elections are associated with anarchy and polarisation this is very encouraging," he said, reiterating that this phase was simply the first along the path to general elections.

Health Minister Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami was also present in Dubai and described the process as a "national celebration."

"We are currently going through a phase of political development. This phase will require a stronger role from the FNC," he stressed.

Reacting to the results, candidate for Dubai Aisha Sultan said that she was "shocked" that there were no women among the winners.

"This was an unexpected result. Honestly, all people in Dubai and elsewhere are shocked about this, especially as the election of Dr Amal in Abu Dhabi gave us hope," she said.

In Dubai, Jamal Al Hai got the maximum number of votes with 340 cast in his favour. The lowest was one vote polled for a candidate. Abdullah Ahmad Salem Al Han Al Shehi, secured the highest number of votes in Ras Al Khaimah with 219 cast in his favour, while the lowest vote polled was 19.

- With inputs from Alia Al Theeb