SHARJAH // Emiratis flocked to the ballot box on Thursday to take part in the UAE’s first local election.
Last June’s historic decision by Sharjah Ruler Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi to open half of the 42-seat consultative council to election was welcomed by everyone on the first of four polling days.
Hussain Ibrahim, 57, was proud to be taking part. “We are honoured, to participate in further developing the emirate, and this is the least a person can do,” he said. “There are no shortcomings from the Ruler of Sharjah, and it is a beautiful thing that we are offered this opportunity to elect people to the council.”
Mr Ibrahim, who was accompanied by his wife and grandson, said his whole family voted.
“We hope that this experience is repeated, and this is a guarantee for generations that will come after us.”
One hundred and ninety-five candidates, including 43 women, are competing for the 21 elected seats. The other 21 seats will be filled by Sheikh Sultan’s appointees.
Of the elected seats, six are spread across Sharjah city, while nine others are distributed between Al Dhaid, Khor Fakkan and Kalba. There are two seats for Dibba Al Hisn, while Al Hamriya, Al Batayeh, Mleiha and Al Madam have one each.
Council members are responsible for implementing proposals for all matters referred to it by the Ruler.
Yusuf Ahmed Jumaa, 38, said that he visited the polling station at the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club on Thursday as it was his duty as a Sharjah citizen.
“This is the first time that this has happened and it is a great, new experience in our glorious emirate, whose Ruler has spared no effort when it comes to the citizens or the emirate,” he said.
“This is an example of how a citizen is one of the main factors in further establishing the emirate and, God willing, this will be a successful procedure.”
Dr Moza Al Shehi, 60, said that she left her work at the American University of Sharjah to take part in the election.
“With this we prove our presence as Sharjah citizens, and we prove to everyone that we are with the democratic process,” she said. “We have great trust in our leaders, and we know that they will take these members of the council as consultants to further develop the emirate.”
Fathiya Obaid, 52, came in her wheelchair in support of her brother, who was a candidate.
“Abdelrahman is running in the elections. We hope that it is a success, and we wish nothing but the best for Sharjah and the UAE,” she said.
Former director general of the Executive Office of the GCC Council of Labour and Social Affairs, Minister Salem Ali Al Mehiri, was also at the polling station to vote, and heralded the day as a milestone for Sharjah.
“Participating in today’s initiative of the Ruler of Sharjah is one of the main goals today, and it is also a goal that Sharjah citizens, whether appointed or elected, collaborate with government authorities to help make decisions that will serve the people and the emirate,” he said.
“We thank the Ruler of Sharjah for this initiative, and we wish everyone luck and success.
“We are always hoping for everything that is in the best interest of the country.”
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Federal National Council Affairs, visited election centres in Sharjah, state news agency Wam reported.
He said that the election enhances democracy in the UAE and that the Sharjah Ruler believes in the importance of citizen participation in the government process.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
