First day of candidate registration for FNC election goes without hitch

Nine registration centres will be open for four days allowing Emiratis to register their interest in standing for election.

ABU DHABI // The four-day registration period for Emiratis who want to stand as candidates in the upcoming Federal National Council election began today at 9am.

Thus far, no problems have been reported at any of the centres, where a steady but small stream of candidates have come to register.

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In Abu Dhabi, registration is taking place in Conference Room B of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, arrived to inspect the process at 11am. “The numbers so far are encouraging,” he said.

By midday, nine people had already registered, including one female.

"This is a chance to give something back to the community," she said. "I want to represent women at the Federal National Council."

Others also arrived with the required documents but were refused registration for various reasons, including their name not being on the electoral college list.

By midday in Dubai, more than 20 people had registered at the Trade Centre office. Registration closes at 3pm, but will begin again tomorrow morning at 9am.

Registration centres in the rest of the country are located at: Al Ain Municipal Theatre; Sharjah Place of Culture; Floor 6 of Fujairah Trade Centre; Building B of Executive Secretarial of the Councils centre in Ajman; the Ministry of Culture centre in both Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qaiwain; and in Zayed City’s Higher Colleges of Technology campus.