Diversity shines through in Sharjah electoral registrations

Ahmed Al Shamsi registers to be an FNC candidate at the Consultative Council of Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National

SHARJAH // Twenty-two applications were received on the first day of registration for FNC candidacy in Sharjah.

Registration opened at 8am at Sharjah Advisory Council on Sunday, and a woman was the first successful registration.

The first day attracted three women candidates and a disabled man.

Loai Al Naqbi, who has been blind since birth, is head of media at Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority and registered to run for the FNC for a second time.

“If I get elected, I will focus my time in the FNC on laws regarding people with disabilities, their medical care, education and things that would enhance their quality of their life,” he said.

Sharjah has six seats in the FNC, where three members are elected and the other three are appointed by its Ruler, Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi.

Mansour bin Nassar, head of Sharjah National Election Committee, said that registration to become a candidate on Sunday took fewer than ten minutes.

“We have divided the process into three stops. The first stop is to make sure the required documentation is complete and accurate for the candidates,” he said.

A financial section follows and then the application is submitted online.

Sheikha Ali Mohammed said the process was hassle-free when she applied for candidacy.

“The registration was easy, everything was facilitated. I got the information from the website.”

If elected, the Federal Transport Authority employee said she wanted to focus on health, infrastructure and tourism in the emirate.

Abdullah Al Sweidi said he wanted to put his efforts into Emiratisation in the public and private sectors.

“I think that more should be done by the Government to increase the quota of Emiratisation and the hiring of residents who studied and graduated in the country,” he said.

The retired military man said the number of graduates far exceeded the job opportunities in the country.

“The private and public sectors should focus on giving priority to Emiratis and graduates, instead of bringing in employees from outside the country,” said Mr Al Sweidi.

More on the FNC candidacy registration from the rest of the emirates:

› Gargash confident of high voter turnout, despite slow start in Abu Dhabi

› Women's voice strong in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain

› Gargash applauds 'encouraging' female turnout for FNC candidacy registration

› Retired Army colonel hopes to improve Al Ain public schooling through FNC candidacy

› Fujairah and RAK's enthusiastic candidates get in early