• Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (R) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (R) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (C) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (C) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
    Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA
  • 'I get very upset when I go to places and see people with special needs sitting doing nothing,' she said as the cast her vote for a candidate running in Fujairah, who she hopes will fight for better job opportunities for those with disabilities. Victor Besa / The National
    'I get very upset when I go to places and see people with special needs sitting doing nothing,' she said as the cast her vote for a candidate running in Fujairah, who she hopes will fight for better job opportunities for those with disabilities. Victor Besa / The National
  • Jawaher Kardali, Asma Al Baloushi and Muna Kardali cast their vote at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jawaher Kardali, Asma Al Baloushi and Muna Kardali cast their vote at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Federal National Council speaker Amal Al Qubaisi votes in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
    Federal National Council speaker Amal Al Qubaisi votes in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Friends greet each other before entering the hall to cast their votes. Victor Besa / The National
    Friends greet each other before entering the hall to cast their votes. Victor Besa / The National
  • A voter smiles after casting her vote at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
    A voter smiles after casting her vote at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ras Al Khaimah police band performs as voting opens at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah police band performs as voting opens at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Voters at the polling booths at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Voters at the polling booths at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Aiysha Al Shahhi holds a flower given to her by election officials at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Aiysha Al Shahhi holds a flower given to her by election officials at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Saturday is the main day of voting but many took part in early voting between Tuesday and Thursday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Saturday is the main day of voting but many took part in early voting between Tuesday and Thursday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A voter in a wheelchair is helped to the polling booths. Pawan Singh / The National
    A voter in a wheelchair is helped to the polling booths. Pawan Singh / The National
  • FNC volunteers at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
    FNC volunteers at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National
  • RAK Police Band Performing during the FNC Election Voting held at RAK Exhibition Centre in RAK. Pawan Singh
    RAK Police Band Performing during the FNC Election Voting held at RAK Exhibition Centre in RAK. Pawan Singh
  • Ayesha Al Shahhi, 48, was offered a free scarf and a flower upon arrival. Pawan Singh
    Ayesha Al Shahhi, 48, was offered a free scarf and a flower upon arrival. Pawan Singh
  • Voting started across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre, at 8am. Victor Besa / The National
    Voting started across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre, at 8am. Victor Besa / The National
  • FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
    FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
  • FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
    FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
  • FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
    FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National
  • An Emirati woman votes by electronic voting system at a polling centre in Dubai. EPA
    An Emirati woman votes by electronic voting system at a polling centre in Dubai. EPA
  • An Emirati man votes by electronic voting system in Dubai. EPA
    An Emirati man votes by electronic voting system in Dubai. EPA
  • A polling station during fourth session of Federal National Council elections in Dubai. EPA
    A polling station during fourth session of Federal National Council elections in Dubai. EPA
  • An Emirati voter in front of a polling station in Dubai. EPA
    An Emirati voter in front of a polling station in Dubai. EPA

Government

FNC election: Live updates as Emiratis go to the polls

As many as 337,000 Emiratis are casting their votes to elect 20 members of the legislative body

Rory Reynolds
Haneen Dajani
Ruba Haza
UAE

October 06, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of thousands of Emiratis are expected to vote as the nation goes to the polls to elect the Federal National Council on Saturday.

Between 8am and 8pm, 337,000 citizens will have the opportunity to vote for almost 500 candidates. They are contesting just 20 seats on the legislative body.

Thousands took part in early voting earlier this week and students and residents abroad voted at embassies around the world.

Follow our live coverage from our correspondents around the country.

UAE