DUBAI - About 130,000 voters of the United Arab Emirates Saturday began casting their ballots to elect half of the 40-member Federal National Council (FNC), the second election in the emirates' 40-year history.

The size of the electoral population has expanded significantly compared with that of 7,000 voters in 2006, when the first-ever election was held since the FNC was formed in 1972, a year after the federation's independence.      

Around 450 candidates, including more than 80 women, are running for the 20 seats in the FNC, which acts as an advisory body. The other half will be appointed by the Federal Supreme Council, the country's highest governing body.

Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the UAE's National Elections Committee has said it expects to announce the initial results within an hour of the polls closing.

Forty-six per cent of the electorate is female, more than double the percentage in the 2006 election, said the Abu Dhabi- based English language daily The National.  

UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan urged all eligible citizens Tuesday to vote in the elections.   The FNC continues to be the main platform for political participation and positive impact on the decision-making process in the country, he said.  

The FNC is responsible for examining all proposed federal legislation, and is empowered to summon and question any federal minister regarding ministry performance. Not all UAE nationals are allowed to vote or run for office. According to the law, voters are chosen by the authorities on a quota system based on historic tribes and the size of the constituent states.

Despite complaints that the voters are picked by the authority and the elections will do little to loosen the ruling of the royal families, government supporters say this a major step in the right direction to gradually introduce representation in the country.

English language daily Gulf News hailed the election day as "a historic day for the UAE."

"Every vote counts as it will determine the future of the FNC," the paper said in its today's editorial. "The FNC election is part of a long-term process that will enhance its role in decision- making."  

Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Chairman of the National Election Committee, said the voter turnout would offer the UAE leadership an indication about how society perceives the importance of public participation in the decision-making process.

"If the turnout is low, the message will be that the FNC election is important but not a priority. I am sure the level of participation will decide the speed of the development of the election program in the future," the Gulf News quoted him as saying.