Despite the restricted franchise, many see the first ever UAE elections as a positive step for the country and the region, writes Mohamed Darwish Better late than never, thought all Emiratis today after they were invited by their President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to have their first ever legislative elections. This momentous step was first mooted late last year. Now the elections, due on 24 December 2004, are unlike any other. Though it's clear that universal suffrage is not on the cards as not everyone has the right to run for parliament, or even vote. A "special list" involving a minority of voters has been prepared by authorities of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE was formed in 1971 through the merger of seven emirates, each still having its own governor. The "special list" involves 6,689 citizens, 1,189 of them women. Of the entire population of 300,000 people, only 0.58 per cent of the nation or 2.2 of citizens over the age of 18, are now entitled to vote. Candidates, chosen from among the voters, will be allowed to run for half of the 40 seats of the "National Union Assembly". The rest of the seats will be appointed by the authorities, who say that the names on the "special list" are representative of the entire nation, rich and poor, urban and rural. Is this a step forward, or a waste of time? This question is being debated by the Emiratis, most of whom seem to believe that democracy is on its way. Abdul-Khalek Abdullah, professor of political science at the UAE University, wanted things to move on quicker. "The remaining 98 per cent of the population are prepared and willing to exercise their electoral right, a right that has taken a long time coming... It is in the nation's interest for political reform to proceed to the point where the majority is included in the process, and not just the minority... When 6,689 citizens go to the poll, 300,000 others would feel left behind... The Emiratis have been divided between the fortunate few and the unfortunate many." Ibtisam Al-Katbi, professor of political science at the UAE University, echoes the same sentiment. "Declaring the names of the candidates in the future National Assembly elections has... created resentment and tensions unseen in previous assemblies... In previous assemblies, the rules [were] equally unjust for all... But the propaganda accompanying the coming elections made things murkier rather than clearer, for it raised expectations then squashed them... It was shocking to see the right for voting go to a mere 0.08 of the entire population," she said. Al-Katbi added that, "the proper foundations of any true democracy rests on a number of principles, including pluralism... the right to form political parties, and equality regardless of religion, race, colour, sex or political affiliation." She pointed out, however, that the next legislative session would be "a turning point in UAE history", and urged the legislature to exercise oversight over the government, submit interpellations, and withdraw confidence from the government if necessary. Sheikh Khalifa promised the Emiratis full and fair direct elections to the parliament in four years. Many believe his promises to be credible. Abdullah, for one, said, the "Emirates has entered the age of political modernisation and democratic openness, albeit through a narrow door... This country has been of late introducing democratic measures, but the train of political reform has finally left the station, with 6,689 on board... It is a million times better for the UAE to move into the era of elections through its own volition and in its gradual way than for elections to come through foreign pressures and intervention... It is better to have half the National Assembly members elected by the Emiratis than to have a fully-appointed assembly that lacks legislative powers... It is better for a few Emiratis to go to the poll than for no one to do so... It is better for 1,189 women to participate in political life along with 5,500 men than for women to remain excluded from political life and from the seats of the National Assembly." Al-Katbi believes that the new move must be judged by the results. "Would we see all the intellectual, social, and political strands in the country represented... or would [the parliament come under] the control of an elite?" What matters, she said, was the formulation of an "electoral culture", which is something that comes from "participation, not watching". The UAE could have started the political democratisation with local and municipal elections, then proceeded to legislative elections, she noted. The official view, as expressed by Tarek Lota, chairman of the elections committee, is upbeat. The coming elections are "the right step to consolidate the role of the National Assembly, consolidate progress within the union, and offer the right mechanism for stability... We're grooming a new generation of youthful leaders," Lota said. Ahmed Mohamed Bin Homeidan, chairman of the Dubai elections committee, says that "the elections mirror the wise vision of their highnesses the rulers of the emirates and the confidence of the nation in its leadership." The list of final candidates, who will be named from among the 6,689 eligible voters, would be announced on 30 November. The authorities call the December elections the first stage in the march towards democratisation. The second stage would see more powers given to the National Assembly. And the third and last stage would involve fully- fledged general elections.
