Official campaigning for next month’s Federal National Council elections has begun, and with it the chance for voters to begin assessing the relative merits of the 341 people who have put their names forward. This will be the third FNC election and our expectation is that it will result in a robust and representative chamber.
For the candidates, the next few weeks will provide an opportunity to present themselves to voters. Each of them should spell out their relevant experience, their skills and their areas of interest, and be able to demonstrate to the electorate why they are best placed to represent them.
It is incumbent on all candidates to conduct themselves in a professional way. First and foremost, the process must be beyond reproach. The National Election Commission has rightly warned that it will not tolerate candidates who attempt to buy votes. And while candidates have a right – indeed, a duty – to promote themselves, the election should not just be a contest between those with the most money to spend on advertising. The people who take the time to get to know the issues and listen to the concerns of the voters will be the best equipped to assume office.
All candidates must demonstrate that they take seriously the responsibility of standing for office, serving the voters and advising the government. “Comical” candidates may think they offer some light relief but they will contribute nothing to public discourse and they have no place in the FNC chamber.
Ultimately, those who are elected will be the candidates who have the best appeal to the voters. While great oratory skills are not necessarily a prerequisite, candidates must have the ability to identify important issues and to speak to them in a confident, coherent and helpful way. The role of the FNC is to reflect the concerns of people at the grass roots level. By design and necessity, the members from Abu Dhabi will bring something different to the table from those from Dubai and the other emirates.
We hope that those elected demonstrate a mature understanding of the role of the FNC and commit to serving their country to the best of their abilities.
