The voting for Sharjah Consultative Council’s elections has started today and will continue for three days until 8pm on December 7.
A total of 51,637 registered voters can cast their ballots remotely via the election website or in person at nine electoral centres operating round-the-clock.
Designated voting centres include Sharjah Chess Club, Al Hamriyah region Municipality, Bustan District Council in Al Dhaid area, Mleiha Sports Club, Al Madam Municipality, Al Bataeh Municipality, Khor Fakkan Expo, City District Council in Kalba and the City Council of Dibba Al-Hisn.
The centres will operate for 12 hours daily, from 8am to 8pm.
Voters use the UAE PASS digital identity system for authentication and candidate selection.
A total of 193 candidates are competing across Sharjah’s various cities and regions.
The distribution includes 93 candidates in Sharjah City, 18 in Al Dhaid, 23 in Khor Fakkan, 15 each in Kalba and Dibba Al Hisn, 3 in Al Hamriya, 6 in Al Bataeh, 8 in Maliha, and 12 in Al Madam.
Preliminary counting results will be announced on December 7.
The appeals phase is set for December 8 and 9, with the committee's response to appeals on December 10, followed by the final winner's list announcement.
If necessary, by-elections will be held on December 11, 2023.
Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, member of the Supreme Committee for Sharjah Consultative Council Elections and Chairman of the Election Management Committee, spoke of the crucial role of voter participation in the council's elections.
"It is a patriotic duty for voters to cast their voice and participate in this process," he told The National.
“Public members must recognise the council's significant impact on the emirate's development.”
He highlighted the diverse composition of the council since its inception in December 1999 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah.
"Over the years, the council has seen a membership of 300, including police officers, ministry undersecretaries, legal professionals, and experts from various fields," Mr Al Jarwan said.
“The breadth of their expertise has significantly contributed to the council's functions.”
The Council consists of 50 members, half of whom are appointed by the Sharjah Ruler while the other half are elected for a four-year term.
Its responsibilities include proposing or amending laws, overseeing public services, discussing the emirate's budget, addressing economic, social, and cultural development issues, addressing complaints and requesting or reviewing studies, reports, or proposals from government bodies and from the public.
"We don't just receive the complaints; we actively discuss them with the relevant departments," Mr Al Jarwan added.
A mandatory response from the relevant department must be received within three weeks.
“However, due to the strong interaction and response from all parties, departments often reply within just three to four days," he said.
"We receive and discuss suggestions in various areas, including family matters, humanitarian issues, and economic initiatives, among others."
During its four-year term, the council has four regular sessions, starting each October.
Sessions are typically public, held bi-weekly on Thursdays, and require a majority presence for validity.
Voter Hassan Al Balghouni, 53, said casting a ballot is a civic responsibility.
“It's our contribution to the government's efforts in developing all fields and facilities in the emirate," he said.
“It refines and filters complaints and suggestions and ensures applicable ones that better improve services are discussed.
“Therefore its our duty to support these efforts by taking part whether as voters or candidates.”
Fellow voter Ahmad Al Shamsi said taking part is critical.
"Casting our votes is crucial. It's about selecting the right candidate who will effectively represent our voices, opinions, and observations within the Council,” he said.
“This stems from our firm belief in the government's directives that emphasise the significance of our input and the commitment to act on suggestions that are beneficial.”
He said engaging in this process is a responsibility to ensure the public’s collective aspirations are heard and addressed.
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
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Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
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Stage three:
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3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
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One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
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