Low UAE turnout in Libyan polls

DUBAI // Only 10 per cent of the 1,500 Libyans living in the UAE voted at the consulate in Dubai this week to elect candidates to draft the country’s new constitution.

Libyans from the UAE and other Arabian Gulf countries had three days to vote for the 60-member constitutional assembly, with the process ending on Monday.

But only 150 of the 370 people who registered to vote turned up.

“We are really disappointed that many people didn’t come to vote,” said Majda Annaihum, the national adviser for voting abroad in Libyan elections.

“They know what is happening in Libya. I spoke to a few people who didn’t want to vote because they feel nothing will change. They don’t seem to trust the government.”

Once elected, the new members have 120 days to prepare the constitution, which would then be offered for approval in a referendum.

If approved, the constitution will help Libya move towards democracy more than two years after long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi was ousted and killed.

The UAE is one of 13 countries where Libyan expatriates can vote. Kuwait is the only other Arabian Gulf state where they can cast their ballot.

The elections in Dubai and other overseas polling stations were held before the vote in Libya, which is on Thursday. Counting will take place on Thursday to coincide with the process in Libya.

“We had the biggest crowd in the last two hours on Monday,” Ms Annaihum said. “We stayed open until 7pm and were waiting for people to come after work.

“The people who came to vote came with the intention to see change. They know things are taking time but are willing to be patient.

“No one expected Qaddafi to be removed. It was a miracle. Democracy is new to us.”

Online voting registration for overseas Libyans was open from December to February 10.

“We had some people who had not registered but wanted to vote,” Ms Annaihum said. “However, we couldn’t allow them because they had been given enough time to register.”

Libyans who cast their ballot were critical of countrymen who did not.

“It is sad they didn’t vote,” said Mahfoud El Bashari, a consultant neurologist at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

“I think this is a lifetime responsibility. Later on when something goes wrong history will blame the people who didn’t act.

“Their absence has a lot of impact. If people turn up here and in Libya the choice of candidates will be better.”

Dr El Bashari said he had never imagined he would see this day.

“I am nearing 60 years and I’m going to the ballot,” he said. “I never thought this would happen. We didn’t have this before.

“Maybe people didn’t come because of the way the National Transitional Council and the government have been functioning.”

But Dr El Bashari hoped the turnout would be better on Thursday.

“I hope people are more optimistic about change in Libya and will go to vote.”