Sharjah goes to historic Consultative Council polls today

Sharjah - Counting will begin on Sunday, the last day of four-day election.

Excitement and hopes are high in the hearts of citizens, as the emirate witnesses the first-of-its-kind democratic process today.
The much-awaited Sharjah Consultative Council Election (SCC Election) will begin today at 8am, with 195 candidates, of which 43 are female contestants.
All arrangements have been made for the historic four-day polls, which has adopted 'Take part in decision making' as the slogan, under the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Head of the Media Committee of the SCC Elections, said following the directives of Dr Shaikh Sultan, the counting of votes will commence on January 31, the last day of voting at Al Qasimia University.
The counting process will be telecast live on various television channels and media outlets of Sharjah Media Corporation. The live transmission will continue throughout the night until the end of the counting and declaration of results, he added.
"The media is our strategic partner and we are sparing no effort to provide them with the best of facilities and services so that journalists can do their job with ease and to the best of their ability," said Dr Al Midfa.
"This is a celebration of democracy which the smiling Emirate of Sharjah truly deserves. This crowning moment has arrived after the journey of 16 long years and after a lot of hard work." Nine electoral zones or constituencies have been set up across the emirate which include Sharjah City, Dhaid, Khor Fakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, Hamriyah, Bataeh, Maliha and Madam. Meanwhile, the Supreme Committee of SCC Elections urged candidates to refrain from all means of canvassing as campaigning has come to an end. The youngest female candidate, 25-year-old Rafea Al Owais, told Khaleej Times that she is excited to experience running for SCC elections. Al Owais said: "I'm so keen to contribute to the development process and change the mindset of my society to cope with current advanced technology for public interest," adding that her slogan "Sharjah deserved giving" would reflect her contribution to development in the emirate.
She expects many young people to vote for her as she would care about youth issues, future and their employment.
Khalid Al Matroushi, another candidate, said that today is going to be the challenging day in his life. "I expect a lot of votes from youth as my slogan is 'pioneering youth for promising future."
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah