The polling stations are open for early voting until 6pm today, and there is a palpable sense of excitement accompanying the Federal National Council elections that will culminate on Saturday. Across the seven emirates, people are keen to have their say in the formation of the third chamber of the advisory body. Yesterday, it was especially pleasing to see elderly people, some of them in wheelchairs and assisted by family members, beating the polling-day rush to ensure that their voices are heard. For those born before the formation of the UAE, some of them in the pre-oil era, the FNC election is another of many significant steps in the dynamic growth of the UAE.
But the FNC is about people of all ages, men and women, all of whom have a stake in the future. The aim of this election is to form a chamber that represents the gamut of interests and opinions among Emiratis and reflects the diversity of the country. The National's interviews with people who have chosen to vote early indicate that many of them have firm ideas about what they want from their FNC members.
Ideally, the 20 successful candidates will be proud and capable representatives who dedicate themselves to the betterment of our country. We expect them to demonstrate clear thinking and be able to consider and discuss a wide range of relevant issues. As in the past, it is probable that some voices will be heard louder than others in the chamber, but we hope that all members will actively engage with the issues and continue to communicate them to their constituencies. They can do this through social media, traditional media, like newspapers, and in local forums. It is important that the 224,000 eligible voters, and the broader population, feel that their interests are being served.
As we have noted before, the FNC is an evolving institution. Its effectiveness going forward depends on the level of engagement that voters have with the process, the efforts put in by the candidates during the campaign, and the enthusiasm and expertise that the election winners bring to the job.