UAE citizens residing abroad continued to come forward to vote in the Federal National Council (FNC) Elections 2015 in 94 polling stations at UAE embassies and consulates around the world. The electoral process has been extended outside the UAE for the first time in a move aimed at allowing Emirati citizens to exercise their voting rights even if they are residing in a foreign country. On the occasion, Tareq Hilal Lootah, Under-Secretary of Ministry of State for FNC Affairs and Head of the Elections Management Committee, pointed out that the polling centres abroad have provided all the facilities to the voters to enable them to effectively participate in the elections. Voting process continued without any interruptions despite an increase in voter turnout on the second day, Lootah said. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan casted his vote at the UAE Mission to the UN on Sunday.
Sheikh Abdullah commended the FNC elections as a step forward in the path towards the empowerment programme pledged by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Emphasising the vital importance of participation of voters in the elections which will be held on Oct.3, Sheikh Abdullah described the democratic process in the UAE as a national entitlement and a key priority that requires effective participation based on public interest of the state in the selection of active members and key contributors in the service of the nation and welfare of the citizen.
“The UAE is committed to remain in constant contact with its citizens abroad so as to engage them in every development process that aims to achieve more progress and success for the state and to do whatever in its power to enable Emirati citizens abroad exercise their right of suffrage,’’ Sheikh Abdullah underscored.
Full Article: gulftoday.ae | Emiratis continue to cast votes.
