Abu Dhabi: Residents will be able to pay bills and traffic fines, comment on government services and access information about the UAE through a revamped e-government web portal launched on Wednesday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The revamped website is compatible with social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter and accessible on BlackBerry, iPhone and Android smartphones.

"The aim of the advanced portal is to provide more and better online services to the people of the UAE and also involve them in the government's policies, laws and public interest initiatives with the ultimate goal of achieving transparency," Salem Khamis Al Shair Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Emirates eGovernment, said.

Progressive model

Meanwhile, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee, said that the 2011 FNC elections scheduled for September 24 reflect the evolving and developing phase in the political outlook of the UAE, and is part of the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to strengthen political participation through a progressive model that reflects the aspirations of the country.

Speaking to students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, Dr Gargash said: "The UAE leadership believes that political participation is an integral part of the overall development of the country. The Federal National Council is a powerful platform for political participation and positively impacts the process of decision-making."