ABU DHABI // The last day of registrations for the Federal National Council election was the busiest this week in Abu Dhabi, with 28 candidates making their intentions to run known.
On Thursday, eight of the candidates were women.
The total for Abu Dhabi emirate, including Al Ain and the Western Region, was 99 over the five-day period, including 24 women.
Rashid Al Ghafli, deputy chairman of the Abu Dhabi election committee, said the turnout was good.
One of the candidates, Jassim Darwish, said it is his first time registering for the FNC.
“I was pushed by the Government, they have included my name in the list and I answered the call,” he said.
Mr Darwish was pleased with the ease of the registration process.
Eman Al Marri said if she is elected she will focus on children’s and women’s issues.
“My main aim is to serve the country in any way. I am a mother and I have personal experience with children. I want to give some of my experience to the country and especially children,” she said.
Ahmed Shabib Al Dhaheri, member of Abu Dhabi’s committee and director general of Sheikh Zayed Charitable Organisation, lent support to the candidates.
He said they came in three categories: former members, former candidates and new candidates.
“The new candidates were of a high calibre and are public figures. All this will help them in getting more votes once the campaign begins,” he said.
An initial list of candidates will be compiled on Sunday. The committee will then give a list of rejected applications and give candidates a period of three days to contest the rejection.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
