Newly elected Sharjah council members set out their priorities

Election officials close the ballot boxes after counting votes for the Sharjah Consultative Council elections at Al Qasimia University on Monday. The 21 councillors have been announced, pending a four-day appeals process. Pawan Singh / The NationalShow less

SHARJAH // After four days of voting and 18 hours of counting, Sharjah’s 21 first elected local councillors were announced on Monday.

Among them was Fatima Al Muhairi, the only woman elected, who thanked the voters from Al Hamriya.

“Winning a seat in the council is an honour and a statement that women can achieve,” Ms Al Muhairi said.

Abdullah Abdulnabi was elected for Kalba, another of the nine districts for which seats were decided, with 566 votes.

Mr Abdulnabi, 31, thanked Allah for the win and said he was determined to fulfil his duty in the council.

“I will work on bringing the Eastern Region problems to the tables of the council,” said the father of three.

“I will focus my work on helping Kalba women to get jobs, and improving the health sector and the infrastructure in our region.”

Mohammed Al Darmaki, who won the final seat in Kalba, was enthusiastic about his appointment and voiced his determination to bring his district’s concerns and problems to the council’s attention.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to win in the election,” said the 36-year-old. “There is young blood in the council now. I would like to thank everyone who supported me in my campaign.”

Before registering as a candidate, Mr Al Darmaki met his fellow district residents to discuss their needs and requests.

“I will focus on youths and people with disabilities, as well as the health sector. Our areas needs private hospitals and clinics, and I will work on bringing investors the eastern region,” he said.

Abdullah Al Muhairi, who was elected for Sharjah city, said the process of counting votes was transparent.

“We have been here monitoring the count. Everything was in front of us and broadcast on television,” he said. “I will focus my time on revisiting the current laws and enhancing them, further enhancing the quality of life of Sharjah citizens.”

Mohammed Al Shuweihi, also elected for Sharjah city, said he would ensure open communication between residents and the council.

“We need to bring the voices of residents to the council,” he said.

“My time in the council will focus on sports, health and education in the emirate.”

The election results will be open to appeal for four days, with a final list of new council members to be announced on February 11.

The polls were held under the instructions of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

He said last June that that half of the 42-member consultative council would be elected, and he would appoint the rest.

Six seats were allocated for Sharjah city, three seats each for Al Dhaid, Khor Fakkan and Kalba, and two seats for Dibba Al Hisn, while Al Hamriya, Al Batayeh, Mleiha and Al Madam have one seat each.

Sixty-seven per cent of the 16,696 registered Sharjah residents cast their votes and women made up 42 per cent of the voters.