Electoral process attracts UAE youth

Young Emiratis eager to be part of the UAE's quasi-democratic process for FNC elections have been attending workshops to learn more about September 24 poll.

ABU DHABI // Dozens of young Emiratis eager to be part of the UAE's quasi-democratic process for the FNC elections have been gathering at workshops to learn more about the September 24 poll.

In the past month, seminars have been held in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah, attracting university students from each emirate keen to work in the polling centres.

In the capital Sami bin Adi, assistant undersecretary for support services at the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs, and a member of the Election Management Committee (EMC), gave an overview of the election process.

Further workshops will be held in Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain, Dubai and Fujairah.

The Emiratis who show the most interest in volunteering on election day will be recruited at the polling centres, as long as they meet the EMC's conditions. No one was available yesterday to explain what those conditions were.

Tariq Hilal Lootah, undersecretary of the ministry and also a member of the National Election Committee, said that recruiting volunteers in the 2006 FNC elections proved to be successful.

He said it helped "provide an opportunity for the different groups of young people to participate in the electoral process and underline their role in this exciting and important project".

Emiratis will vote for 20 elected posts, while campaigning will run from September 4 until 21.

The results are expected to be announced on election day.

A total of about 12,000 Emiratis, who will be drawn from each emirate, will be entitled to vote. In 2006, about 6,689 Emiratis had a vote.