A few weeks ago, the formation of the Emirates Committees for the forthcoming Federal National Council elections was announced – a step which, according to Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, "will facilitate the successful implementation of the elections and reflect positively on the development of the country's political process".
The committees’ creation is indicative of the Government’s desire to promote greater participation in the elections. With turnout under 30 per cent last time, there’s certainly scope for improvement. Over the past half-century, I’ve taken part in more than 10 British general elections. Here, campaigning is very different, but perhaps some of what I’ve learnt is of relevance.
First, it should be easier for people to vote. In Britain, there are polling stations in every urban area and also in little villages. Even in rural areas, it’s generally not necessary to travel more than a few kilometres to find one. I have fond memories of one, in the tiny Scottish hamlet of Cappercleuch, serving a mere 50 voters, where turnout was generally among the highest in the area. At the last FNC elections, some people had to make a round journey of well over 100km to get to a polling station. More polling stations, with less of a journey involved, might help to increase turnout.
Secondly, potential voters should feel that the person or institution for which they are voting is worthy of support. Not only should their candidate of choice impress them, but the parliament, or FNC in our case, must be seen as a useful institution. In recent decades, as the role of individual British MPs has seemed to decline and parliament has lost respect because of the antics of some of its members, so the percentage of those who vote has fallen.
Here, the FNC has shown its determination to become more effective, with ministers being called to account and with a whole raft of proposals for new legislation. Yet the media, with honourable exceptions, has paid little attention. It has generally limited itself to fairly cursory coverage of the occasional debate or of a minister being questioned, but done little to explain the daily work of FNC members. Before the end of the current FNC’s term, it would be good to see more media coverage of its activities and relevance. If voters believe the FNC is doing a useful job, they’re more likely to vote for it.
Perhaps there could be more effort to inculcate an awareness of the FNC and its role among the young. How often are debates attended by university students and secondary schoolchildren? How many FNC members have visited the schools and colleges of the emirates that they represent in the council? That might not generate enthusiasm among voters this year, but it could help when those students are themselves of voting age five years from now.
It’s now 64 days to the next British election and campaigning is well under way. By the time of the election, many people will be sick and tired of it. At the last FNC elections in 2010, though, the campaigning period was rather short: if it is longer this year, candidates would have more time to contact voters, engage with them at meetings, through house-to-house calls, or using whatever technique they choose. Posters on lampposts may make a splash, but my own experience suggests that personal encounters between candidates and voters are enormously important.
Television debates can be useful too: then, to be blunt, voters can assess whether a candidate talks sense. Social media may, in reality, be of much less value.
The FNC elections are an important way to promote greater public participation in the process of governance. They offer, too, evidence of the peaceful way in which the UAE addresses political issues, in contrast to most of the region. Next autumn’s elections are of relevance far beyond our borders. They need to be carefully promoted.
Peter Hellyer is a consultant specialising in the UAE’s history and culture
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Results
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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