Engaging in FNC elections is important for all UAE residents

Voting may be an important part of political engagement, but it is not the only way for people to get involved.

Emiratis prepare to vote at the Al Ain Exhibition Centre during the 2011 FNC elections. Sammy Dallal / The National

The publication of the electoral college list this week brought the debate over the relevance of the Federal National Council to the fore again.

Even though the electorate grew by 66 per cent to give 224,279 Emiratis voting rights, other Emiratis who did not make the cut expressed disappointment with their exclusion. As a result, many of them have articulated little interest in getting involved with the FNC, which reviews and advises on Government proposals.

While voting is an important part of political engagement, it is not the only way for people to get involved.

Even though some have not been given a say this year, FNC members will still represent every person in the UAE during their four-year tenures. Issues raised at council gatherings often revolve around the concerns of the public, and not just those who were eligible to vote.

This week expatriates also said they felt the FNC was not an entity that affected them.

Yet the council has made extensive changes to laws in the country and introduced policies that affect everyone who calls the UAE home.

In the past few years, the council strengthened a law on compulsory education, which affects all children in the country, placed emphasis on food safety and introduced harsher penalties for those who cheat consumers.

They have also given children unprecedented rights, including a controversial one to be breastfed, and stripped several laws of religious content, to ensure they do not interfere with the multi-faith community.

The council has also pushed for the Central Bank to enforce credit checks on all bank users, which has led to those with extensive debts now being refused loans. To the benefit of Emirati businesspeople, the council has stalled the passage of a law to allow greater foreign ownership of companies.

However, when it comes to social benefits, the council has kept the expatriate community in mind. They called for petrol prices to be slashed for all, even after some said that this should be a perk only for nationals.

Expatriates also affect the FNC. Trends identified through the expatriate community can be the subject of council debates, such as dressing respectfully, social behaviour, labourer numbers and even social integration.

Although only one fifth of Emiratis are eligible to cast their ballot on election day, others in the country have a responsibility to ensure that the election is a success and that those they want to represent them are elected.

So those who are not eligible to vote can still play a vital role by identifying preferred candidates, listening to their plans and lobbying for the people they think could make a difference.

Even though the FNC receives little recognition, it is a strong constitutional power that has a definite influence on Government decisions.

Whether eligible to vote or not, taking part in the FNC election will aid political development and ensure a rigorous candidate-selection process, which can only lead to better representation of the public on the council.

Ola Salem is a freelance journalist and a former political correspondent for The National.