iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The delegation were briefed about the mosque's noble message that highlights values of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to other cultures
KT APPDOWNLOAD
'Hope for progress': UAE's Iranian expats vote for new president from Dubai, Abu Dhabi centres
The election is being held to choose the successor to former President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May
Photos: Supplied
Iranian expats in the UAE cast their ballots in a crucial election to choose the successor to former President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May.
According to the Iranian missions, there was a “good turnout” of expats on Friday to exercise their rights and shape the future of their country.
“Voting is important. This election is happening at a crucial time. We hope for stability and progress,” said an expat, who gave his name as Saleh.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Iranian expats aged 18 years and above were eligible to vote at the Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, provided they brought their national identity card or passport. Special desks and counters were set up to facilitate a seamless voting process. Iranian residents deposited their ballots in a sealed box.
Iranian Ambassador Reza Ameri noted that the early presidential elections were held in about 95 other countries, including the UAE, where Iranian nationals were residing.
“In the UAE, there are about half a million Iranians, most of them of course in Dubai,” Ameri said. While there were two centres in the UAE, about 60,000 polling centres were set up outside Iran.
The ambassador explained that while voting is primarily conducted via paper ballots outside Iran, some areas have implemented electronic voting procedures.
“To this moment and this hour, participation and turnout in the elections has been good, and there are many Iranian residents who attended the polling stations and cast their votes in the ballot box,” Ameri noted.
The ambassador emphasised that the embassies and consulates abroad will not directly announce the final election results. “We report the results to the election centre in Iran, and after they have received all the results from all countries, the government will officially announce the results of the elections.”
Ameri stated that the polls opened at 8 am local time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and closed at 6 pm.
While there was a decent turnout at the missions, there were expats who didn’t go out to vote. “I couldn’t go. I was at work. We have issues like lack of jobs, price rise, and political instability. We need good leaders. We hope things will change,” said an expat, who gave his name as Reza.
ALSO READ:
More news from UAE
You must schedule an appointment with the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority
The country continues to stress the importance of allowing and facilitating the urgent passage of humanitarian relief for the civilians in need
The mosques are nestled between the residential towers and surrounding the famous square – earlier known as Al Khan Bridge
The last time a Philippine president came to the country was in December 2008 during the time of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Amid the buzz, the Indian tourist told Khaleej Times she was just grateful that her mum had the chance to experience the emirate's luxury and hospitality
Parking fees are set in order to regulate the limited spaces and to prevent the arbitrary use of these spots
The violators were caught as authorities step up its monitoring of the public's compliance with regulations