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Back democracy test: Shaikh Mohammed

ABU DHABI — Terming the Federal National Council (FNC) elections on September 24, 2011, as a new democracy experiment in electing competent people and making their voice heard, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wished the UAE people and called upon the candidates to do their national duty to the people and the country selflessly should they win the polls.

Shaikh Mohammed viewed the new democracy experiment as a test for the sons and daughters of the UAE to exercise their franchise in electing those they see good, competent and able to convey their voice to the dome of the FNC, which was founded in 1972 to act as a channel of communication between the government and people in addition to its core duties of debating bills and national issues that concern the citizen’s daily life and of consulting and coordinating with the government on preserving national interest.

Shaikh Mohammed called on eligible voters to maintain on the election day and all other national occasions a high sense of belonging and practice this experiment in a civilised and democratic manner away from prevarication and personal courtesy at the expense of national interest.

The Vice-President affirmed President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s call upon the sons and daughters of the UAE for effective and massive participation in the elections because their active and broad participation promotes the concept of national and community participation and partnership, especially the one between the leadership and people.

Addressing candidates, Shaikh Mohammed called upon them to do their national duty in full towards the people and the country should they win the FNC membership.

“It is also important to take matters seriously, especially issues of national concern, which should not be diluted or passed through quickly,” he said, adding: “As leadership and government we will mobilise all potentials and provide all opportunities to the UAE sons and daughters. And we are also fully confident of their merit and competence to carry out their sacred national responsibilities. We consider the FNC a free national platform which has immunity as a legislative authority that supports national decision-making, offers sound advice and opinion to the government in tackling internal and external issues. Furthermore, the house acts as one of key channels for shaping the future of the country and its promising generations.”

Addressing the UAE people in general, and voters and candidates in particular ahead of the election day, Shaikh Mohammed said: “You are today writing a new chapter in the success story of our beloved country and its leadership and excellence in several domains and fields. Loyalty to the homeland and leadership is indivisible. We believe in the concept of democracy since the time of our forefathers and founding fathers who were democrats by instinct, nature and originality based on their genuine heritage and social reality they lived among their people throughout times and which we are living today as leadership and people across our beloved country.

“I wish my sons and daughters of my country all success in their drive towards the aspired future under the guidance of my brother the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, May God guide his steps in the path of giving, good and success. May God aid all in their efforts to achieve eminence and glory for the country, to hoist its flag aloft and to make its aspirations and ambitions come true,” Shaikh Mohammed concluded. —