DUBAI // Young Emiratis believe more should be done to raise awareness regarding the importance of the Federal National Council elections.
Candidates should engage more with potential voters by making clear what issues they are running on so that those eligible to vote can make more informed decisions.
“For me the issue is that there isn’t a lot of information out there about the candidates,” said Saeed Al Nofeli, 32, a student at the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi.
Although he was aware of the work done by the FNC, he said more should be done to engage with voters.
“I’m not the kind of person who will vote for someone just because they are a friend or I know them,” he said.
“I need to know what their policies are and how they plan to help the country.”
Although Mr Al Nofeli is not part of the latest batch of people eligible to vote, he does see the value of the current FNC system.
“It’s great that they can bring up issues and raise awareness of the everyday concerns of Emiratis, but the candidates need to do more to engage with people within the community. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any candidate say how he is going to help people and we need them to start doing that.”
Mariam Al Omaira, 29, who is a department manager for a government-run sports body in Abu Dhabi, said a younger generation of Emiratis was eager to play a positive role in UAE society. However, she too is not eligible to vote during the latest round of voter increases.
“Eventually I would like to see more younger people become involved with the FNC because many have new ideas and want to make a real impact and help their communities,” she said.
She said she was happy with how those elected to the FNC were representing the Emirati community.
“I know that they have the best interests of the people at heart,” she said.
Many expatriates were oblivious of the role of the FNC or of the electoral voting system used in the UAE.
“It’s not something that I’ve really looked into,” said Michelle Townsend, 30, from the UK, who has been living in Dubai for two years.
“I’ve occasionally read stuff about it but I thought it was part of the government itself.
“Maybe once the election gets closer we’ll start seeing campaign posters and I’ll be interested to see how it’s run here.”
Dubai resident Ishtiaq Ahmed, 26, from India, believed most expats did not take an interest in the FNC because it did not directly affect them.
“I’ve been here five years and it seems to me that most expats are so focused on the reason why we are here that we don’t take an interest in what is going on in the UAE as a whole,” he said.
“Although expats can’t vote in the FNC, we should still be interested in the issues they raise because they are important for Emiratis and at the end of the day we are guests in their country.”
More on the FNC election:
■ Emiratis keen to make their voices heard in October FNC election
■ More transparency needed as UAE political system matures, analysts say
■ Analysis: UAE's political empowerment programe Tamkeen on track for success
nhanif@thenational.ae
