UMM AL QUWAIN // With 67 per cent of eligible voters in the emirate having cast their vote an hour before polls closed, Umm Al Quwain had the highest turnout of any emirate, so said the head of the local elections committee.
Among the voters was Maryam Al Doobi, also UAQ’s first female voter.
“I didn’t know that I was the first female, but I am happy right now to know that and I feel that I did an encouraging step for other females to come and vote on the last day,” the 29-year-old electrical engineer said.
Having her name included in the process was a source of pride, Ms Al Doobi said.
Another female voter, Fatima Mubarak, also expressed her excitement at being part of such an important event.
“I am very proud that I participated in the ballots. It doesn’t matter to whom I have voted, what I care about is to choose an efficient candidate who serves his homeland,” the 30-year-old said.
Ms Mubarak chose her candidate based on the work he has done to help disadvantaged people in the UAE.
“I have dealt with him personally at work and I know he is a great person who is always ready to help all people, without any discrimination,” she said.
Abdulla Al Ali, head of the centre, said voting was split equally between male and female citizens.
After polling was extended by an hour, to 9pm, Mr Al Ali said he expected even more people to show up at the centre.
“Today is Saturday and it is a holiday in the country, so more people will come, especially after 4pm, so the number of voters will increase before the polls close,” he said.
A variety of people showed up to vote, Mr Al Ali said, from the young to the old, showcasing the inclusive nature of the voting process.
There were others, too, at the centre. Though the process was perhaps a little more tense for them.
At the centre, in Sheikh Khalifa Wedding Hall in Al Salama, candidates gathered as they waited for the results to be announced.
Though interested and excited to hear the results, they were not without their fear, they said.
“If we are not interested and excited to win, we will not come and wait here,” said Salem Al Shawi, 39.
“There is a little bit of tension and fear,” he said.
roueiti@thenational.ae
