Mohammed inspects FNC polls progress

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today visited the polling centre for the Federal National Council (FNC) elections at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sheikh Mohammed inspected the progress of the electoral process and procedures to be followed by voters to elect a candidate from 329 candidates for the 16th Legislative Chapter of the FNC.

His Highness was briefed by the members of the National Elections Committee (NEC) about the e-voting system which started with presenting the Emirates ID, the certified personal identification issued by the Emirates Identity Authority.

Voters, then, can vote in two ways, either by directly entering a candidate's number or by simply clicking on the candidate's photograph.

Sheikh Mohammed also stopped at the volunteers’ counters tasked with guiding voters and cross-checking identities to guarantee the smooth run of the election process.

Members of the National Elections Committee (NEC) noted that 1500 volunteers were coached to help in all the 36 poll stations in the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed satisfaction over the democratic experience where the citizens and candidates demonstrated their national responsibility.

Sheikh Mohammed also praised the role that volunteers play in aiding voters and guiding them through the voting process, urging them to participate in other national events to gain more experience and set a good example for the coming generations.

His Highness added that the past generation were taught by their parents and grandparents to cherish our traditions so as to be the best successor to the best predecessor as well as to involve the citizens in all matters affecting their lives and future happiness. 

He further stressed the importance of the Empowerment Programme launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the elections which are vital in boosting development of the UAE in all fields.

During his visit Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by members of the National Elections Committee (NEC) Minister of Health Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Secretary General of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs Najla Al Awar, Deputy Director General of Dubai Ruler's Court Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Head of the polling centre at DWTC Afra Al Basti and Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality Khalifa Saeed Suleiman.

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