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Polling picks up, one FNC candidate dies of heart attack

Dubai/ Ajman/ Ras Al Khaimah/ Sharjah - Voting booths in Sharjah fill up later in the day in the areas of Al Dhaid and Maleeha,and Al Khan area.

Update:
A candidate for the Federal National Council elections in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah died of heart attack at his residence on Saturday morning.
Candidate Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al Shehi was the first ever candidate to have died during the FNC election on the day of voting.
Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary at the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and head of the elections management committee, told Khaleej Times: "The votes given to Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, the FNC candidate who suddenly died of a heart attack at home around 6.30am on Saturday will be cancelled later."
"Nothing can be done to the electronic voting system now. It cannot be touched by anyone until the end of voting at 8pm," he said.
SHARJAH
The turnout of voters was weak in the morning period at final day of FNC at Sharjah voting poll, but a better turnout is expected this noon. Top officials of government departments arrived in the morning and voted. They said that they voted for the respective candidates on the basis on experience and qualification; and not due to any family relation.
Voters of different generations have been voting. While some residents chose to vote in the areas of Al Dhaid and Maleeha, others chose Al Khan area. Sharjah Police patrols have been deployed at the entrance and exit of the booths, security has been beefed up in various parts of the building directing voters, checking badges and IDs. Reporters are stationed in the media centre to cover the special day for the UAE.
An official of the Sharjah Election Committee said that the voting process is now going ahead smoothly, due to effective coordination between security and committee members, who were assisting voters. He added that early elections have offered an alternative opportunity for citizens who may not be able to vote on the Election today and contributed to reducing the crowd at the polls.  "We are expecting great turn out by evening", he said.
Speaking to Khaleej Times Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, praised the organization of the election process calling it the "nation's greatest celebration. Voting is a national duty of every citizen who has the right to practice democracy by selecting the candidate he/she believes has the ability to convey their voices."
He explained that many UAE nationals think that the FNC would not serve them, but this is a wrong concept. The FNC members in their position are capable of addressing issues and pushing for solutions through decision and decrees. Many of the candidates in previous FNC have succeeded in making changes in their own community.
- Afkar Abdullah
DUBAI

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