When the first Federal National Council elections were held 13 years ago, fewer than 7,000 Emiratis were eligible to vote. Now that the voting system has reached its teen years, nearly 50 times that number have been invited to have their say in another reflection of the seismic reforms underway in this country. Nationwide elections on October 5 for the FNC will be the largest to date, with more than 330,000 Emiratis eligible to vote.
As Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of State for FNC affairs and chairman of the election committee, says, it is “yet another step on the UAE’s political empowerment and engagement journey”. The increase in voters marks a 50 per cent increase from the last election in 2015, in a process which enables citizens and their representatives to participate in shaping their country, giving them a platform to voice their concerns, express their aspirations for the nation’s direction and have an audience with the UAE’s leaders. It is the modern-day majlis and with greater numbers invited in, it promises an even more inclusive system.
In Sheikh Zayed's lifetime, decisions would often be issued on chits of paper to those gathered in his majlis. As the UAE has grown and its population diversified, so too have laws expanded to include more of those impacted by its development and infrastructure. It is essential this opportunity is not wasted. FNC elections are a chance for Emiratis to make their voices heard.
The council speaks for all citizens, bringing issues that matter to their constituents to the table and summonsing ministers for questioning about critical policies. Its members have the power and position to effect positive change through its consultative process. Thanks to a royal decree last year, the body will now have an equal number of male and female members.
Change is hard-won and often forgotten when it becomes the norm, but it is a duty upon all those eligible to make the most of their voting rights come October. Traditionally, turnout has been less than 40 per cent in FNC elections. But the expansion of the voter pool illustrates the government’s desire to have the council be more representative of Emiratis from different walks of life. All Emiratis on the list are also eligible to stand as candidates and many serious and thoughtful aspirants are already coming forward to represent the people of their emirate.
So, as the nation prepares to hold its largest election yet, voters are urged to question their candidates and head to the polls on election day. They can then ensure that they are represented when it comes to deciding the future of their nation.
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
AIDA%20RETURNS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The%20new%20Turing%20Test
%3Cp%3EThe%20Coffee%20Test%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EA%20machine%20is%20required%20to%20enter%20an%20average%20American%20home%20and%20figure%20out%20how%20to%20make%20coffee%3A%20find%20the%20coffee%20machine%2C%20find%20the%20coffee%2C%20add%20water%2C%20find%20a%20mug%20and%20brew%20the%20coffee%20by%20pushing%20the%20proper%20buttons.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProposed%20by%20Steve%20Wozniak%2C%20Apple%20co-founder%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
