Early voting for Federal National Council started on Monday. The main voting day is Saturday. Follow Gulf News updates on FNC polls.
Mubarak Khalifa Mubarak, 36, works with Fujairah Customs and is taking part in elections for the second time.
Speaking to Gulf News, he said: "It is an honour to be part of FNC election process. I am pleased to exercise my right to vote and I hope all will exercise their right."
"I studied all the candidates and checked their backgrounds and agenda before coming here to vote and I made choice of the person I believe will do good for his people," he added.
Emirati women take a selfie as they arrive to cast their vote at Dubai World Trade Centre polling station
'Very pleased'
Abdullah Al Zahmi, 39, a teacher in Abu Jandal School in Fujairah, said he is very pleased to take part in the FNC elections for second time.
قمت بالتصويت المبكر هذا الصباح بمركز المعارض بأبوظبي #صوت_للامارات pic.twitter.com/MeDRYh2qq3— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) September 28, 2015
"The early voting is a good concept, this allows people to come and vote at their leisure. I think elections are being managed really well and the organisers are doing a great job," said Al Zahmi.
Voter Abdullah Al Zahmi says he is very excited to take part in the FNC elections
He added that he voted for a candidate who is focusing on improving education and spreading greater awareness among people.
First timer
Another first timer, Mohammad Ali, 24, said he is amazed to see so many people coming to vote so early. "This shows how passionate we are for our country and how much of us wants to participate in our beloved nation's development.
He was particularly impressed by ease with which he was able to vote through the electronic voting machine.
"It is a very simple and smart process, I was able to finish casting my vote in a few minutes," he added.
77-year-old Humaid Rashid Humaid Al Falasi coming to vote at Dubai centre
Umm Al Quwain
The three-day early voting phase for the Federal National Council (FNC) began on Monday morning at nine polling stations in the UAE.
A handful of Emiratis showed up at 10am to cast their ballot inside the Khalifa Bin Zayed Foundation Hall in Umm Al Quwain.
Attendance picked up in the following hour as several people, including women, voted for the third FNC elections.
In Focus: All the news, data and opinion on #FNCelections 2015 http://t.co/g8jWNzDPf7 pic.twitter.com/rywmuSXX8l— Gulf News (@gulf_news) September 28, 2015
In Fujairah
Early voting has begun in Fujairah for the third FNC elections.
Voters are entering the Fujairah Exhibition Centre in a steady stream, most of whom are first time voters.
Speaking to Gulf News Abdullah Saeed, a first time voter, said: "I feel great being able to vote and participate in the elections. This is a great moment for the UAE, a moment of pride for our beloved nation."
Voting began at 10am today, with the day ending at 6pm. Early voting will continue until Wednesday at nine polling stations across the country, ahead of the main Election Day on October 3.
Shafaat Shahbandari, Faisal Masudi, Noor Nazzal, Gulf News Reporters
In Dubai
A remarkable number of Emirati women swarmed polling stations in Dubai on Monday to vote for candidates who aim to empower women.
Voter Bedoor Al Mehairi said she voted for the candidate who she believed will help women rise in society.
“I voted for a woman whose objective is to tackle issues related women’s maternity leave, women’s health and the importance of women’s role even after retirement,” she said.
Emirati women arrive at Dubai World Trade Centre polling station to cast their ballots as voting begins for FNC elections on September 28. (Virendra Saklani)
Another voter, Maneha Al Ahbabi, also chose to vote for a female candidate because her agenda revolved around women’s empowerment.
Maneha also said the voting process was extremely smooth as she was able to vote within a few minutes.
Fatima Al Mheiri, who believes that women’s maternity leave should be extended, voted for a candidate who supports her view on this issue.
Aisha Al Kaash, on the other hand, said she does not care about the candidates’ agenda.
“I don’t care about the agenda – I voted based on the candidates personality. I don’t want a candidate who elects himself every year. I want someone new, which is why I voted for a young candidate who nominated herself for the first time. Our country is young so we need someone young with new ideas.”
In addition to the noticeable women’s presence at the Dubai poling stations, there were also elderly Emirati voters who insisted to visit the polling stations to cast their vote.
A’osha Bin Shateea, 74, who arrived on a wheel chair, insisted on coming to polling stations to vote for her son despite her weak frame, while Humaid Bin Rashid Humaid Al Falasi, 77, also came to vote because he wanted to fulfil his national duty.
By Noor Nazzal, Staff Reporter
Fujairah
Voters turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting as part FNC elections in Fujairah on Monday. The Fujairah Exhibition Centre saw a steady stream of voters through out the day, many of whom were first time voters, keen exercise their right.
Speaking to Gulf News, Abdullah Saeed, a first-time voter said: "It feels great being able to vote and participate in the elections. This is a great moment for the UAE, a moment of pride for our beloved nation."
Voting began at 10am on Monday, with the day ending at 6pm.
Early voting will continue until Wednesday at nine polling stations across the country, ahead of the main Election Day on October 3.
Another first-time voter, Mohammad Ali, 24, said he is amazed to see so many people coming to vote so early. "This shows how passionate we are for our country and how much each of us wants to participate in our beloved nation's development."
He was particularly impressed by the ease with which he was able to vote through the electronic voting machine.
"It is a very simple and smart process, I was able to finish casting my vote in a few minutes," he added. There were also those who had taken part in previous elections likeMubarak Khalifa Mubarak.
By Shafaat Shahbandari
