The Federal National Council elections 2019 represent a new practical step in the process of enhancing political participation, which highlights the role of the active citizen in the decision-making process, as a key pillar in the process of development in the UAE in all areas.

The elections show the level of awareness among citizens of the pivotal and vital role played by the Council in meeting the aspirations and needs of society, and contribute to the advancement of all sectors, as well as the high national sense of those wishing to stand for national responsibility, and to represent the people of the UAE in the Federal National Council.

The elections confirm the UAE leadership's keenness to promote a culture of political participation among members of society, and to establish an electoral culture based on the need to elect and select candidates who express the concerns and issues of citizens.

The success of the electoral process is a shared responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of all, as well as the interaction of society in all its categories and institutions.

The participation of members of the electoral bodies in the electoral process, whether by running for membership in the Council or electing their representatives under its dome, is a national responsibility for the success of the process of empowerment through which the UAE seeks to enable the citizen to contribute effectively in building the future it aspires to enhance its leading position globally.

The third and final day of the early voting of the FNC 2019 elections concluded yesterday, which received citizens from the members of the electoral bodies in the nine centers, distributed all over the Emirates, to choose their candidates for membership of the Council during the voting period, which ran from 9 am to 6 pm Meanwhile, the National Elections Commission has completed its preparations for the Presidential Election Day, scheduled for tomorrow, in 39 electoral centers nationwide.

The third day of early voting witnessed an average turnout compared to the previous two days in most polling stations.The first and last hours of voting remained the most popular among voters, some of whom preferred to vote before going to work, while others voted after they left their jobs.

Elections are scheduled to start tomorrow, from 8 am to 8 pm. The voting will last for 12 hours, after which the boxes will be closed and the votes counted in the electronic voting system, and then the preliminary results and the names of the winning candidates will be announced.

The Commission stressed the importance of voters taking official identity cards, to verify the identity of the voter through them before allowing him to vote.

The Committee thanked the citizens of Abu Dhabi Emirate who came to its headquarters at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, during the three days of early voting, to vote for their candidates, praising the remarkable attendance and active and positive participation of members of the electoral college of various categories, in a civilized appearance reflecting the extent of political awareness of the community and national responsibility.

The committee affirmed that the attendance demonstrates the real desire of citizens to make the elections a success, as it is a national action that contributes to the promotion of the comprehensive development process pursued by the State.

Quiet vote in Dubai

The polls closed on the last day of early voting yesterday at the polling station in Dubai, a remarkable lull in which voter delegations contributed sporadically in modest numbers, compared to the previous two days.

The center witnessed a small turnout in the early hours, increasing the number of voters in the hours after noon and the end of working hours for government employees.

Voters continued to arrive at the polling station until the end of the day and the closure of the funds. The center, in addition to five other polling stations, will open in Dubai tomorrow on the main election day.

No preliminary figures were available on the size of participation during the three days of early voting in Dubai, and what it constitutes for the final total of voters.

The head of the electoral center, Khalid al-Kaabi, confirmed the progress of the electoral process as planned, pointing out that he witnessed a turnout from different age groups and the female element. He said that he appreciated the arrival of electoral bodies and voters in the early voting days, as this indicates their sense of responsibility and their belief that their voice translates their confidence in the country.

Juma Al Mutawa, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at Dubai Government's Human Resources Department, told Emirates Today that the voting process was simple and easy, and stated that his choice in selecting the candidate was the experience and thought he possessed, and most importantly his integrity. He wished all citizens to participate in the performance of their duties in voting and selecting members.

Violations are very limited

The Minister of Health and Community Protection and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Commission, Abdulrahman Al Owais, that the electoral experience is in the stage of maturity, after going through several stages.

He pointed out in statements to reporters, after casting his vote in the Sharjah Committee yesterday, that citizens are happy to participate in the elections, stressing the need to realize that «vote is not a luxury, but the right should be used by the citizen, to build a special experience for the UAE», pointing out that «the state does not "It wants to look like another country, but it wants to build its own experience."

Al-Owais explained that the irregularities in the different stages of the process are “very limited”, given that the National Election Commission was more stringent with regard to the prohibition of religious and tribal intolerance, and to ensure that the voters are neutral to choose their voters, and to ensure that the electoral process is conducted with transparency and fairness. Standards established by the Committee.

He said that the turnout rate is "excellent", expressing satisfaction with the reaction of citizens to the ease of procedures, both in terms of receiving the voter and verifying his identity, or casting a vote.

Al Owais predicted that the turnout in the National Assembly elections will exceed the percentage in the last elections, with the increase in the number of members of electoral bodies, and the presence of a density of young people coming to vote, calling on all citizens to turn out heavily to cast their votes, tomorrow, on the main day of voting, pointing out that "Early voting was reserved for those who have circumstances that prevent them from casting their ballots on the main day."

He said that political empowerment does not succeed without the concerted efforts of all, and the real participation in voting for those who are eligible to vote, adding that this participation is an important source for the success of the electoral process, in parallel with the success of the experience of the democratic Emirates, which resemble itself, just like the people of the UAE.

The President of the Advisory Council in Sharjah, Khawla al-Mulla, voted, stressing that the political empowerment of women enriches the experience of the democratic state, pointing out that this empowerment was based on the confidence of the leadership in turn, as the role is important in the economic and social aspects, it is also important in the political side.

For his part, the President of the Sharjah Electoral Center, Abdulaziz Al Tunaiji, said the turnout on the last day of the early voting was intense morning, young people, women and senior citizens.

Intermittent turnout in Ajman

The Ajman Center for National Council elections witnessed a sporadic turnout of voters on the last day of the early voting stage, amid expectations from the Commission that tomorrow will be more turnout and vitality, being the main day of voting.

The Emirates Today monitored live broadcasts at the Ajman Election Center for the emission of UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri to Earth from space amid the interaction of voters, volunteers and candidates, who were surprised to broadcast the event through large screens and speakers, while the flow of voters did not stop.

Assistant Undersecretary for National Council Affairs, Member of the National Elections Committee, Dr. Saeed Al-Ghafli, said during his tour of the election center in Ajman that the third day of early voting witnessed a good turnout of members of the electoral bodies at all centers, pointing to the monitoring of positive interaction with the committees.

He said that the rounds of the committees on the centers aimed at identifying the working teams, and the mechanism to perform their functions and volunteer functions, and to identify their observations to develop and improve the electoral centers in the future.

Chairman of the committee, Rashid Abdulrahman bin Jubran Al-Suwaidi, confirmed that the process went during the early voting days according to the plan, without any obstacles, noting the great role played by the volunteers in serving the members of the electoral college, and to overcome any difficulty encountered during casting their votes.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that the volunteers have left an important imprint through their efficiency and flexibility during working hours, appreciating the high national sense of everyone and the high level of volunteer culture in the UAE society.

He explained that the facilities and modern techniques were an important factor in the smooth electoral process during the early voting stage, pointing out the keenness of the Commission to put modern screens dedicated to the people of determination, considering that serving this category is a top priority for the team, and that the Commission will spare no effort in providing everything It is easy to participate on the main voting day tomorrow.

The head of the Ajman Election Center, Abdullah Salem, said that the three days of early voting witnessed a remarkable turnout of voters, indicating the development of electoral awareness.

Large turnout in Ras Al Khaimah

Early voting in Ras Al Khaimah witnessed a high turnout of voters to choose their candidates.

The emirate's committee confirmed that it seeks to provide convenience to voters from the arrival of Ras Al Khaimah Exhibition Center `` Expo '' where the electoral center, until their departure, pointing to the provision of small cars to get voters from the parking lot to the entrance of the center, and volunteers played a big role in the process of guidance within the electoral center.

Elected by «chance»

By chance, Hamad Al Tamimi and Dr. Saeed Obaid Khamis led to the main electoral center in Abu Dhabi, encouraging them to enter and vote in the FNC elections, despite being from Dubai.

Al-Tamimi confirmed that they did not seek to vote in Abu Dhabi, especially as they are residents of Dubai, pointing out that he was accompanied by his friend in a government department adjacent to the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, and as soon as they saw the signs of the elections went to the center and cast their votes.

Aisha Al-Naimi: Reducing the retirement age for mothers and supporting senior citizens

The electoral program of the candidate for the Federal National Council for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Aisha Khalifa Al Nuaimi, is based on supporting Emiratisation, working to reduce the retirement age of mothers, and supporting senior retired citizens, people of determination, women and family, Emiratisation, housing and entrepreneurship.

She explained that her program includes the launch of a platform to provide employment opportunities for retirees in institutions, such as training, or work as reserve staff with cut salaries, and strive to reduce the retirement age of mothers employees, to provide an environment conducive to their changing needs, and initiatives to provide subsidized prices in the bills of fuel, electricity, water and communications for senior citizens and retirees The owners of determination, discussing their exemption from payment of administrative fees for official transactions.

Her program also supports women's fulfillment of their various roles and roles, contributing to their success in preserving family and society, and includes discussing the reduction of long working hours, as this has a positive impact on employee productivity, as well as seeking not to deduct basic salary in case of early retirement of mothers.

Aisha Al Nuaimi Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Huda Matroushi: The inclusion of innovation in the curriculum

The candidate for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Dr. Huda Al-Matroushi, confirmed that through its electoral program, which bears the slogan «In love of the UAE .. giving and tolerance», to disseminate the UAE culture, and to add a course on innovation in the educational curricula in the country.

In her election program, Matroushi highlighted the importance of enacting more laws and legislation to encourage investors to take advantage of the active business environment enjoyed by the state.

She also stressed the need to benefit from the accumulated experiences of retirees in all fields, and the localization of jobs, and the development of a mechanism to meet the challenges of demographics, the delay in the age of marriage, and increase rates of reproduction.

In her election program, Al-Matrooshi talked about the importance of discussing social, national and economic issues, which are in the interest of the country and the citizen, with the need for quick solutions. It will expand the role of the private sector in the area of ​​Emiratisation as a partner in addressing societal issues, by setting up a mechanism to grant benefits to companies that contribute to this issue. Emirates Today - Abu Dhabi

Huda Al Matrooshi Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Amina Al Mazrouei: Reduce retirement years to 15 years for women

Amina Al Mazrouei, a candidate for the Federal National Council for Abu Dhabi, has proposed reducing retirement years to 15 years for women without limiting their age, increasing financial allowances for widows, if they have no other income, as well as supporting them with educational programs to alleviate the burden of educational responsibility. With the absence of the father, they pointed out the importance of adopting a period of continuous or intermittent leave for the citizen woman during pregnancy, while reducing the working hours of the woman, to meet the requirements of social life, in addition to the priority of employment if she does not have a breadwinner.

Al-Mazrouei also proposed, in her electoral program, to postpone the performance of the national service for citizens until after the completion of university studies, in order to urge them to continue higher education, especially as some students are lazy about continuing the education journey, if they go to the national service after secondary school .

The general axes of its electoral program dealt with the quality of health services and the efficiency of medical staff as a necessity. It has also developed a job security hub. Abu Dhabi - UAE Today

Amina Al Mazroui Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Mohammed Al Kaabi: Emiratisation, family and media are the pillars of my electoral program

The candidate in the FNC elections for Ajman Emirate, Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi, confirmed that his electoral program focuses on providing jobs for young citizens, protecting them from negative phenomena, supporting family and community cohesion, and enhancing the positive role of the media.

“We will work together to address the problem of employment among UAE youth, with large numbers of UAE nationals graduating in all fields at high rates,” Al Kaabi said.

He added: “I aspire to contribute effectively to solving the problem of youth employment by reviewing federal legislation on Emiratisation in the public and private sectors to raise the percentage of Emiratisation and provide suitable jobs for them, in line with their ambitions and passion to serve their country.”

He stressed that «for the emirates of the present and the future, and in order to preserve the great legacy left by parents and grandparents, it is necessary to preserve the youth of the state and protect them from anything that may negatively affect their lives and their future».

He said that family cohesion is one of the most important foundations of a cohesive society, stressing the need to activate community initiatives that guarantee stability for the family. Dubai - UAE Today

Mohammed Al Kaabi Emirate of Ajman

Abdulrahman Al Owais:

"The UAE's democratic experience resembles only itself, just like our people."

Khawla Al Mulla:

"Women's political empowerment enriches the experience of a democratic state."