Reformists are calling for an elected Parliament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an unprecedented public demand for a greater say in the government. Although there is no political dissent or extremist violence in the UAE, it is now the only state without elected bodies in the Gulf region after Saudi Arabia held municipal elections earlier this month. "It has become embarrassing for the UAE to lag behind others politically in the region. It is high time for us to have a fully elected house — enough of an appointed council without legislative powers," Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a professor at UAE University told Gulf News daily in remarks published yesterday."With elections being held in Saudi Arabia, the UAE will be the only country in the region that does not have elections," added Saeed Hareb, another university professor. "It is strange that Iraqis were registering and voting in the UAE for their country's election and yet UAE citizens do not have the right to vote," Gulf News quoted him as saying.
They were referring to the consultative Federal National Council (FNC) whose 40 members are currently appointed by the seven semi-autonomous emirates that make up the UAE federation, presided by Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan. The highest federal authority in the UAE is the Supreme Council, comprising the rulers of the seven emirates. The country, which enjoys political, security and economic stability, has a population of 4 million, mostly foreigners. Late President Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan, who died last year, said in 1998 he was willing to consider elections for the National Council but defended the system of government without elaborating.