The paper begins by tracing the orchestrated evolution of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) from ‘traditional’ forms of consultation between ruler and ruled to ‘modern’ electoral politics and puts them in the context of alternative ‘post-modern’ forms of political participation through e-government and the social media. The FNC was established in 1972 immediately after independence as one of the five federal authorities of the UAE that formalizes and incorporates the shura principle into the modern nation state but has no legislative powers. Initially its membership was entirely appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates, but in 2006 elections were held for half of the FNC seats by a small electoral college also appointed by the rulers. In subsequent elections in 2011 and 2015 the electoral college was substantially expanded and probably now includes almost half the adult population of the country and it is expected to be widened to universal franchise in future. The paper analyses changing voter participation and voting patterns in the 2006, 2011 and 2015 elections in terms of such factors as gender, age and tribal affiliation.