United Arab Emirates parliamentary election, 2006

The first elections ever to be held in the United Arab Emirates took place on 16 December, 18 December and 20 December 2006. Half of the Federal National Council, which has forty members, were elected.

Abu Dhabi and Fujairah voted on 16 December; Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah on 18 December; Sharjah, Ajmān and Umm al-Quwain on 20 December. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F9870B99-9EE9-49DD-BFD5-D4241BF0D911.htm Poll opens for first UAE elections] Al Jazeera, 16 December 2006] Only 6,595 of the more than 300,000 people over 18 years were allowed to vote, 1,163 of them women; [http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=18884 Sole woman elected in UAE maiden polls] Middle East Online, 21 December 2006] all of these voters were chosen by the rulers of the seven emirates. [ [http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=123716&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16 UAE polls 'step to more participation'] Gulf Times, 21 December 2006] One of the four seats in Abu Dhabi went to a woman, Amal Abdullah al-Kubaissi. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20941426-23109,00.html Woman wins seat in Emirates poll] The Australian, 17 December 2006]

The government has expressed that future elections will be more participatory, including that the powers of the Federal National Council will be expanded and that the right to vote will be granted to all citizens.

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