The first-ever elections for half of the 40-seat, largely advisory Federal National Council were held in December 2006. However, participation was limited to a small electoral college appointed by the emirates’ seven rulers in September. Of the college’s 6,689 members, 1,189 were women. Of the 20 elected members of the council, one was a woman. The UAE government appointed the remaining 20 members, including 8 women, in February 2007.