Gargash applauds female turnout for FNC candidacy registration

Fourteen women across the UAE completed their registrations on Sunday, and 88 men.

Essa Al Badwawy 28, works at the police department in Dubai. This is the first year he is eligible to register to be an FNC candidate. Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said the first day of registrations for FNC candidates has been “very encouraging” – not least due to the number of women expressing their interest in positions.

Fourteen women and 88 men across the UAE completed their registrations on Sunday.

“The process is going really well,” Dr Gargash, who is also the chairman of the National Election Commission, said on Sunday.

“About 40 per cent of the electoral college are women and that’s very encouraging to have,” he said from the Dubai registration centre at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Emirati businesswoman Laila Al Jasmi of Health Beyond Borders and the former chief executive of Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the Dubai Health Authority registered for elections.

“My experience for more than 23 years in the government health sector and my international work in healthcare entrepreneurship gives me the discernment to serve my country through this platform,” Ms Al Jasmi said.

A small group of candidates turned out for the first day of registration in Dubai but many more are predicted.

“Today is the first day,” Dr Gargash said. “The turnout is encouraging but the period of registration is [over] five days. There are those who like to come and see the process on the first day as they prepare their documents for registration.”

The procedures ran smoothly, despite some small problems with the documents required by candidates.

Essa Al Bedwawi, 28, works at the police department in Dubai and registered but was not aware he needed three passport photos instead of one. “Luckily I have some in my car as it would have been a little inconvenient to have to return to complete my registration,” he said.

“I wasn’t of age during the last election and couldn’t have run so this is my first opportunity and I’m thrilled to be doing this on the first day,” said Mr Al Bedwawi who is also the head of the UAE Nashama Volunteers organisation that was set up in 2009 to improve community welfare.

Other candidates faced similar, minor problems. The committee was quick to work out a solution to help candidates complete the registration process – waiving some of the requirements in select cases.

Notable candidates registering on the first day included current FNC member Hamad Al Rahoomi who was seeking another term on the council.

He will have to relinquish his current FNC duties if his name is listed as one of the final candidates. The final nominees list will be announced on the last day of this month.

“When it becomes official the final list will be announced, then the campaign will start at the end of the month,” Dr Gargash said.

“We are in for hopefully a fruitful campaign of good discussions on issues that concern people.

More on the FNC candidacy registration from the rest of the emirates:

› Gargash confident of high voter turnout, despite slow start in Abu Dhabi

› Women's voice strong in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain

› Diversity shines through in Sharjah electoral registrations

› Retired Army colonel hopes to improve Al Ain public schooling through FNC candidacy

› Fujairah and RAK's enthusiastic candidates get in early