Smooth start in Abu Dhabi, 24 register for FNC elections

Abu Dhabi - Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash said the first day of nominations went smoothly, especially because the registration was made easier this year.

Twenty-four candidates registered their names on the first day of nominations for the upcoming Federal National Council (FNC) elections in the national capital on Sunday.
Most of them reached the three centres - in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region's Madinat Zayed - early morning to enter their names for the polls, which will see electronic voting system for the first time.
In the previous elections held four years ago, 116 people had registered in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and Chairman of National Election Committee, who toured the nomination centres on Sunday, said this year also he expects around the same number of nominations.
"Nominations are not an indication of successful elections for us, though," he told Khaleej Times. "We expect more people to come forward in the next four days. This is a good opportunity for them to develop a new career." Dr. Gargash pointed out that the first day of nominations went smoothly, especially because the registration was made easier this year.
In 2011, there were only 13 election centres in the country, and this year they have been increased to 36 centres. The entire process for the nominations lasts just about five minutes if all papers are in order.
The electoral committee for Abu Dhabi tried to improve the registration experience this year with a few added services at the nomination centres. "We offer, for example, free parking for nominees, and, at the check in desk we offer them a folder with all the information about the nomination and election process, the documents required, and a small gift.
"We also have the Abu Dhabi Police here to issues clearance certificates for criminal record for the nominees, in case they don't have one," explained Rashid Ali Al Ghafli. deputy chairman of Abu Dhabi Committee for the 2015 FNC elections.
At the Abu Dhabi centre, only nine people have registered, including two women. Among them was Maitha Al Rumaithi, an Emirati businesswoman.
"I believe to get nominated for the FNC elections is every Emirati's duty. My agenda will focus on social issues, anything related to our communities and our cultural identities," she added.
"I don't find there are any challenges in particular for women to be elected. The real challenge, as a woman, is having the ambition, the drive to be elected," she told Khaleej Times.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi