DUBAI // Early voting came to a close in Dubai on Wednesday, ushering in a brief respite ahead of the official election day on Saturday.
Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said he was pleased with the early voting procedures and turn out.
He visited polling centres across the country, starting with Abu Dhabi on the first day of voting on Monday and in Dubai and Ajman the following day.
“Early voting has been introduced for the first time and has proven its success, especially in its convenience for those who aren’t able to vote on election day,” said Dr Gargash.
He commended the work of the election committees across the Emirates and the important role volunteers played in the election.
“The whole election process reflects greatly on the country,” he said.
At the World Trade Centre polling area, the most noticeable trend was the arrival of large numbers of voters arriving from the same organisation.
Several government bodies gave their employees a day off to vote together as a group.
Cadets from the Dubai Police College were accompanied by their dean, Brig Dr Ghaith Al Suwaidi.
“We had to participate in this momentous national occasion,” he said. “It’s an exceptional experience that only happens every few years. We had to bring in our students to witness our democracy first hand.
“We teach our cadets the constitution and the law and this is an extension of their education.”
Employees from the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities also arrived en masse to cast their ballots after being given a day off.
Another voter was Gumasha Salem Mubarak, an elderly citizen of Dubai. She was born before the country began formally recording birth dates but doctors estimate her age to be in the late 70s or early 80s.
Her son accompanied her to the polling station.
“This is my country and we are its children. Those are our leaders and we need to rally behind them,” said Ms Mubarak.
She said that she found the voting process simple and help was at hand to guide her through it.
She also said that, as an elderly person in a wheelchair, she felt honoured at the attention and courtesy she was shown.
Ali Juma Al Sheirawi, 40, a volunteer, spent his day shuttling voters around the World Trade Centre.
“I pick up the elderly, the disabled and the sick that are coming to the centre with the RTA requested vehicles,” said Mr Al Sheirawi.
The Dubai polling centre has partnered with the RTA to provide a special transport services to those in need.
“Anyone who is elderly, with a wheelchair who needs special assistance can call the election centre to request a car with the RTA,” said Mr Al Sheirawi.
Ahmed bin Humaidan, the head of Dubai’s election committee, said anyone who needed assistance should give their Emirates ID number, their phone number and address to have a car sent for them.
The special dispatch service will also be available on election day on Saturday, he said.
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