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FNC Elections: A mother's vote for her children's future

Umm Mohammad believes that the action of casting her vote was mainly and truly driven by her children.

BY TAKING part in the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) 2015 elections, Umm Mohammad believes that the action of casting her vote was mainly and truly driven by her children. What prompted her to engage in the process was not so much the sense of obligation, duty, or the opportunity to do so. On all of these fronts, no one can challenge her staunch commitment towards an enhanced participatory society and her belief in the current staged process.
The middle-aged mother of four had only one thought on her mind when she finally entered her selection in the automated ballot screen - how her vote would pave the way one day for her and all other Emirati children to be part of the practice when they are adults. This was a learning experience for them more so than for any of the current voters. But reaching the final decision in terms of which candidate deserved to get her vote was not an easy task for Umm Mohammad. She had to rely on herself and her skills to find out more about them. There were too many to choose from. And they came from various fields, backgrounds, age groups, and experiences.
Although Umm Mohammad did recognise some names due to their presence in the public sphere, it was not a good enough motive for her to vote for one and not the other. Speaking in public does not necessarily merit a vote.
Furthermore, not all candidates had the savviness or budgetary means when it came to using the media - social, print or otherwise. Some candidates resorted to placing several advertisements in the newspapers, which appeared occasionally on prime pages. Others opted to use social media where video and photos were posted and regularly updated. The number of followers and the likes for sure was not a reflection of how good or popular a candidate was.
But social media is a good place to attract an important sector of the electoral college - one that does not rely on print media for their information. This is important given the fact that over 60 per cent of eligible voters are below the age of 40 and 48 per cent are women.
In addition, few candidates resorted to having an open majlis - gatherings where they met and appealed to prospective voters. And except for one or two odd campaign slogans, the overall majority of candidates followed a sensible approach. It is obvious that they have learnt from the previous election in 2011; not to underestimate this year's 224,279 voters and avoid promoting promises that they will not be able to meet.
The list of candidates running for the FNC reflected what the UAE has achieved thus far. In other words, across all the emirates, these lists - more or less, mirrored where the UAE has reached since its establishment several decades ago. Candidates were of different generations, including both men and women, young and old, experienced and fresh starters, with advanced or basic college degree, backgrounds of working in public or private sectors, in addition to the handful who had previously served in the FNC.
In due course, Umm Mohammad came to establish an impression and understanding of the candidates' main area of focus, and more so of what they think they will be able to achieve after winning. Some had very wide-ranging campaign slogans which were so fluidly diluted that it was difficult to pin point what they wanted to say. This was to her advantage as it helped her eliminate such candidates altogether from her shortlist. After much searching, asking and checking, the list eventually came down to two or three candidates of choice. All seemed to be of good calibre - they were qualified and educated, with solid working experience and exposure to public life. They seemed to have a certain level of understanding of how the FNC functions and what it is all about.
Umm Mohammad knew whom she wanted to see at the upcoming opening session of the FNC - a candidate that was fresh, young, energetic, educated, well-spoken, and in touch with his or her community. She wanted to point to her children the winner candidate of her choice, and proudly advise that in future they should also select wisely. It is for that candidate Umm Mohammad had cast her vote.
Najla Al Rostamani is a UAE-based columnist and media consultant with interests in local and international socio-political affairs.

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