Twenty new members have been elected to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government advisory body, the Federal National Council.
Each of the seven emirates selects a proportion of its voters for the council that together account for about 12 percent of Emiratis.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the UAE, visited the polling station at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“Here in the Emirates we don’t have the problems that some others in the region have,” explained Shahinaz Abdul Razzaq, FNC candidate. “So we try to explore new sectors to grow and work in. I hope that all possibilities will be available.”
“The Emirati voters have cast their ballots to show their confidence in the future. The percentage of those with the right to vote increases progressively at every election. The authorities claim that these are the first steps toward a more representative political system.”
