No regrets for FNC candidate who lost out after spending Dh1 million on campaign

Dr Mubarak Al Ameri wishes winners well after Saturday's council elections

Dr. Mubarak Alameri, FNC candidate in Al Ain. Leslie Pableo for The National 

A Federal National Council candidate who spent Dh1 million on his campaign only to fail to win a seat said he had 'no regrets'.

Dr Mubarak Al Ameri became a familiar presence on the election trail as posters bearing his image and slogan lined streets in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

The ambitious businessman told The National ahead of Saturday's poll that you "either run strongly or you don't run at all" as he voiced his intention to cut the cost of living and help people escape from debt if elected.

He secured the support of 1,650 people, 845 votes short of the number he required to become an FNC member.

“I have no regrets, I did what I could and with elections or any sort of competition you never know,” said Dr Al Ameri, 45.

“It’s like a game of football, you do what you can but you can’t guarantee the winner.”

He said there is nothing that he could have been done differently to guarantee his victory.

“And I don’t think there is anything I would do differently if I run again.”

He believes the objectives he proposed and his main electoral theme ‘together against inflation’ were sufficient to convince Emiratis to vote for him.

“But some candidates play it smartly and they know how to attract more votes,” he said.

“There are two phases for elections; a phase of proposing ideas, and the phase of receiving votes, it is not necessary that proposed ideas would determine the voters’ choice.

“Many simply vote for family members.”

Dr Al Ameri said he has not decided whether he would run again.

“it is not a definite yes or a definite no, I simply don’t know, there are four years to go.

“I benefited from running. I gained more experience in life and communication with the people,” said the father of five.

After the results were released, Dr Al Ameri posted a video on social media congratulating the winners and thanking the leaders for providing elections.

“Now that the elections have ended, I would like to thank UAE leaders for giving us this opportunity and I would like to congratulate every winner, and I thank the 1,650 people who voted for me and whoever hailed me, thanks to them all.”

“And we wish them [winners] the best of luck.

“Finally, I pray for more prosperity and development for our country.”