Emirati men cast their vote at a polling station in Dubai on December 18 2006. AFP
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, casts his vote at a polling stantion in Dubai on December 18 2006. Karim Sahib / AFP
Men and women fill their ballot papers at a polling station in Abu Dhabi. The process has since been made electronic. AFP
Emirati women chose their candidates from a list before voting at a polling station in Dubai on December 18 2006. Karim Sahib / AFP
Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, Amal Al Qubaisi and Rashed Musabah Al Marar appear on stage after being elected to the FNC in 2006.
"This is an honour I will carry all my life. It is proof that the Emirati people are [politically] aware," said Ms Qubaisi. AFP
Emirati men cast their vote at a polling station in Dubai on December 18 2006. AFP
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, casts his vote at a polling stantion in Dubai on December 18 2006. Karim Sahib / AFP
Men and women fill their ballot papers at a polling station in Abu Dhabi. The process has since been made electronic. AFP
Emirati women chose their candidates from a list before voting at a polling station in Dubai on December 18 2006. Karim Sahib / AFP
Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, Amal Al Qubaisi and Rashed Musabah Al Marar appear on stage after being elected to the FNC in 2006.
"This is an honour I will carry all my life. It is proof that the Emirati people are [politically] aware," said Ms Qubaisi. AFP
Emirati men cast their vote at a polling station in Dubai on December 18 2006. AFP
Federal National Council Elections: How it all began in 2006
Though only a little over 6,500 Emiratis were eligible to vote in the country's first election, the excitement was palpable, says veteran FNC reporter Salam Abu Shehib
![Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, Amal Al Qubaisi and Rashed Musabah Al Marar appear on stage after being elected to the FNC in 2006.
"This is an honour I will carry all my life. It is proof that the Emirati people are [politically] aware," said Ms Qubaisi. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3N6LF55LXK2MMRTJZGGWVCNAVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=de580cba91d84ad4099634c31f2fcdff2b6a58b3c22c68f09ce5ca4ddd1452f3&width=800&height=450)
