FNC polling gains pace in Sharjah on day three

SHARJAH // There was a noticeable increase in the voter turnout for the FNC elections on the last day of early voting.

A steady stream of Emiratis made their way into the Sharjah Chess Club, one of the voting centres.

Polling officers in Sharjah said they saw a large turnout compared with the past two days.

They also said the majority of voters on Wednesday were men, when it was mostly women who voted on Monday and Tuesday.

Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qasimi, a silver medallist at this year’s European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championships, was one of the voters. He said some candidates had made promises to the electorate that would be impossible to fulfil.

“Some candidates’ agendas are farfetched and cannot be implemented on the ground,” he said, adding that he voted for a candidate whom he “believed in”.

He said that the voting process was easy.

“I voted in a very fast and comfortable way, and I urge all Emiratis to do their duty and cast their votes,” he said.

A busy itinerary meant Omar Al Naqbi decided to vote on Wednesday.

I might be travelling and decided to come all the way from Khor Fakkan to cast my vote,” said the 38 year old.

He said that he voted for a well respected candidate who was known for his good deeds over the years.

Khamis Al Sewidi, 85, arrived in his wheelchair to cast his vote for his niece, Ayesha Al Sewidi, a candidate in the elections.

“I voted for her and I hope she wins,” he said, adding that it was a national duty to vote for the FNC.

Ms Al Sewidi, who is principal of Al Manar Modal School, came to the centre to oversee the voting process, although she said she would not cast her vote until the official election day on Saturday.

“I came here to see if everything was going well. I have decided to cast my vote at the last possible moment before the elections end,” she said.

Another voter, Hussein Abdulaziz, 36, said he came along early on Wednesday to avoid the inevitable rush on official election day on Saturday.

“I managed to cast my vote today because I don’t want to get in the queues on Saturday. I voted for the candidate that I think will represent me well in the federal council,” he said.

Afaf Saleh, cast her vote at midday and she was relieved to have cast her ballot.

“We did our part and voted. Now, let’s hope the candidates do their jobs and carry out their promised agendas.” said Ms Saleh, a government employee.

FNC candidate Ayesha Al Sewidi came to the centre to oversee the voting process, although she said she would not cast her vote until the official election day on Saturday.

“I came here to see if everything was going well. I have decided to cast my vote at the last possible moment before the elections end,” she said.

Ms Al Sewidi, who is principal of Al Manar Modal School, believed she had presented a good manifesto to the voters.