Empty chamber at FNC after security bars public

Spectators mistakenly turned away at weekly session.

The empty audience section at Tuesday’s FNC session, after security staff turned away members of the public. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council’s post-private hearing on Tuesday was a surprise to all – even the council’s media team.

Members of the public were turned away from the early morning session after security, covered by the Ministry of Interior, was tightened. However, no one sent out a memo to let the security staff know that the morning part of the session should – as usual – be open to the public.

Even media struggled to get in. After intervention from the FNC media team, who said they were unaware of council plans to hold a closed meeting post-session, reporters were allowed access.

While attendance is often poor at public sessions, the scene of an empty viewing area was a depressing sight, mere months before the next elections.

How many members of the public were turned away? It could have been enough to prevent anyone from attempting to return, particularly because it is difficult to know when sessions will be held, because of minister absences and rescheduling.

Even the council’s official site does not offer a clear timeline of the dates of sessions.

Reporters also discovered recently that a chunk of the audience is made up of staff members of ministers who appear before the FNC.

Members have complained of poor attendance. But this could be improved by greater communication to the public about session dates, even reminder tweets the day before on Twitter.