Abu Dhabi: Polling stations are ready to welcome French expatriates in the UAE who will be voting in the second round of French presidential elections on May 7, a spokesman of the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi told Gulf News.
The voting rate in the UAE in the first round elections last Sunday was 60 per cent, higher than the average of 45 per cent in overseas centres in the rest of the world, he said.
Around 78 per cent voters cast their votes in France where far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron are contesting for the top post. Le Pen trails Macron in the polls by about 20 percentage points ahead of coming Sunday’s decisive second round.
Around 24,000 French citizens are living in the UAE — 18,000 in Dubai and 6,000 in Abu Dhabi, the spokesman said.
Around 13,356 French voters have registered in the UAE and they can choose to vote at one of the several polling stations in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The venues will be opened to the public on Sunday, from 8am to 7pm.
Each polling station is ready to welcome everybody in the best conditions, he said. “But, it’s very difficult to anticipate the rush hours. Sometimes there could be queues. However, all necessary measures are taken to facilitate the voting, which is a moment of utmost importance in the French democratic life,” the spokesman explained. The polling operations are organised with the authorisation and in close coordination with the UAE authorities, including Abu Dhabi Police and Dubai Police, whose cooperation is highly appreciated, he said.
French citizens expressed their happiness about their opportunity to take part in the democratic process of their home country while living abroad.
“I am grateful for this opportunity,” said Marina Hashim, president of the French Business Group in Abu Dhabi. She said she took it as a national duty to vote in the elections. She was happy to hear about a higher turnout of French voters in the UAE. “It means French expatriates in the UAE are more linked to France,” Hashim said.
About the registration procedure for voting abroad, the embassy spokesman said all French citizens have to register with the embassy or the consulate in the country of their residence. In the UAE, while expats are doing that registration process at the embassy in Abu Dhabi or consulate in Dubai, they can also choose to vote here.
French authorities conduct national campaigns to encourage their citizens to take part in elections through diplomatic and consular missions all over the word with the legal permission of the host country, the spokesman said.
Where to vote
Registered French voters can choose to vote at one of the several polling stations in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The venues will be open on Sunday, from 8am to 7pm.
FIGURES
60% turnout in UAE in first round elections
45% turnout in other overseas centres
78% turnout in France
24,000 French citizens living in UAE
18,000 French citizens in Dubai
6,000 French citizens in Abu Dhabi
13,356 voters registered in the UAE
