Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, opened the new session of the Federal National Council in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed said the council represented the UAE's commitment to promoting “consensus, consultation and co-operation”.
He convened the consultative body on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed.
“We convened today — on behalf of my brother, the President of the State, may God protect him — the new session of the Federal National Council,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.
“The council represents and consolidates the UAE's approach of referendum and consultation, put forth by the nation's founders.
“We wish the members of the council success in performing their duties and promoting consensus, consultation and co-operation among all state authorities.”
The 40-member council, made up of 20 elected and 20 appointed members, advises the government on matters of national importance.
It can pass, amend and reject federal laws and discuss international treaties. It is also a forum for members to raise the concerns of ordinary Emiratis.
It was established in 1971 and voting was introduced in 2006. Members hold office for four years.
The 2019 elections proved hugely significant, as for the first time an equal number of male and female representatives were voted on to the council.
FNC 2019 elections — in pictures
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Early voting for the Federal National Council elections begins in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Women cast their ballots at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An Emirati arrives at Adnec to cast his vote on Tuesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Men arrive at Adnec to cast their ballots. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emiratis cast their ballots during the early voting period. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emiratis arrive at Adnec to cast their ballots in this year's FNC election. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emiratis register with election officials on Tuesday morning as early voting at Adnec gets under way at 9am. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A family arrives early to vote on Tuesday. Election officials hope the flexibility of having three 'early voting' days this week and the main polling day on Saturday will boost voter turnout this year -
Emiratis are shown how to vote on a test system in Abu Dhabi. The electorate is much bigger this year - about 337,000 citizens are eligible compared to 224,000 in 2015 - meaning that many are voting for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An official shows voters how to find their candidate on a blank test system. Each name and candidate number is displayed and many have been campaigning with their numbers printed prominently on billboards and posters across their emirate -
Voters check-in with election officials by presenting their Emirates ID and then use a private booth to electronically select their candidate of choice. More than 470 candidates are contesting just 20 seats -
A woman in a wheelchair is helped to cast her vote on a terminal at Adnec on Tuesday -
The election is the largest the UAE has held to date, with 337,000 - just under a third of the Emirati population - eligible to vote this year -
An election official escorts a voter to the polling booths on Tuesday morning -
The booths became busier as the morning went on as citizens took a mid-morning break from work to vote -
Early voting is taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in nine centres across the country. On Saturday, 39 polling stations will open for the main day -
An election official helps a voter to use the electronic voting system -
Adnec is one of the largest voting centres in the country - more than 101,000 Abu Dhabi residents are eligible - and is expected to be packed on Saturday -
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - October 01, 2019: Early FNC voting takes place. Tuesday the 1st of October 2019. ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
