Un Supports Historic Election in Timor-Leste

APRIL 2007 SPECIAL EDITION

UN SUPPORTS HISTORIC ELECTION IN TIMOR-LESTE

UNMIT Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Atul Khare has emphasized the need to uphold the common goal of inclusiveness in the coming Presidential election saying the exercise “must have a restorative and unifying impact and must not on any account lead to divisiveness.” In this issue uoting Rule 15 of the Code of Conduct three-member Electoral Certification Team. He Q signed by all presidential candidates, the added however that some of the recommenda- SRSG said the manifestations of this goal is em- tions of the Certification Team pertained only bodied in “…a language that ensures a peaceful to the Parliamentary elections. “I think there is environment, free of defamation, non-threaten- enough time for the National Parliament to con- ing, not encouraging violence, and without per- sider those provisions after the Presidential sonal criticism towards persons or a group of Elections,” said DSRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen. people, notably other candidates and their sup- Meanwhile, 504 polling centers and 705 porters.” polling stations have been established across the Speaking on Thursday, 29 March 2007 at the country. “The 2007 Presidential election is the weekly press conference convened by UNMIT first national election since Timor-Leste gained Office of Public Information, the SRSG paid its independence in 2002, and the first nation- Reaching out to voters in IDP camps “direct” tribute to the people of Timor-Leste wide elections to be organized by the national and their authorities---assisted by the interna- election authorities,” STAE Director Tomas 2 tional community---through the United Nations Cabral said in a recent press release. “We wel- for their efforts in facilitating the polls, which come the assistance given by the international kicks off on 9 April 2007 with the conduct of community and the advice of the the Presidential election that has attracted eight UN Mission in Timor-Leste, candidates, including a female politician. but we are proud that these Addressing the same conference, the elections are the first we DSRSG and UNDP Resident Representative Timorese will stage our- selves,” he stated. Voter education Finn Reske-Nielsen underscored the significance in Ermera of this electoral process in the country’s history, Courtesy of the “inte- noting that unlike the previous elections, the re- grated mission” con- 5 sponsibility for conducting the Presidential and cept, over 200 staff Parliamentary election in 2007 rests with the drawn from the state institutions of Timor-Leste, “principally UN fraternity in STAE in the Ministry of State Administration Timor-Leste have and the National Electoral Commission, the continued on pg. 3 CNE.” He stressed however, that through its top decision making organ of the Security Council, the UN had been mandated---through Security Photo: Renato da Costa Council Resolution 1704---to provide extensive Support to the support to the electoral process “to ensure that candidates the elections are indeed free and fair.” 6 Fielding questions from journalists, the DSRSG explained that the United Nations has also been assisting the Government in drafting relevant legal provisions as recommended by the

1 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION REACHING OUT TO VOTERS IN IDP CAMPS As each and every citizen of Timor-Leste ment of Timor-Leste, STAE, the CNE and “We would prefer should be provided with information UNMIT concerning the elections, posters and a polling station at about the upcoming elections, this posed some pamphlets have all been posted on the notice our camp as we challenges for communicating to those living in boards to increase public awareness of the elec- Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. A toral process. In addition the teams have been worry about our logical idea, to distribute electoral information using mobile sound systems installed in their ve- security when we go through already established communication hicles to transmit voter information through home to vote, but channels to these camps was embarked upon. radio broadcasts and music when visiting each if that cannot hap- The UNDP ‘Communication Support to Hu- of the IDP camps. “This is especially important manitarian Assistance for IDP’s’ project has been because IDP’s are no longer in their own neigh- pen we will still go making relentless efforts since July 2006 to create bourhoods and as such many are cut off from to make our vote” an effective communications network to IDP accessing their usual sources of information”, centres both in Dili and throughout Timor-Leste. observed Carolyn. “We are the only body that is solely dedicated to Having accompanied one of the project’s in- bringing news and information into the IDP centres” remarked Carolyn Tanner, Project Manager, Commu- nication Support to Humanitarian As- sistance for IDP’s. Notice boards were placed in all of the IDP camps throughout Dili, including Metinaro, Hera, Dare formation teams as they visited an IDP camp at A child walks around and Tibar to assist with this effort and continue Dili National Hospital in Toko Baru last week, it the perimeter of his to be up-dated on a regular basis. Notice boards appears some of the information has been fil- home; an IDP camp in were also posted throughout most districts and tering down to the ground and although nervous Dili's central cathederal, Vila Verde. these also continue to be updated. “Close to about their personal security, all the people we 70% of IDP’s acknowledged that they use the spoke with intend to vote in the Presidential Notice boards at an board as a source of information at least once a election next Monday, 9 April 2007. IDP camp displaying week”, she added. In addition, on a bi-weekly “We would prefer a polling station at our voter education posters. basis the project is distributing press releases to camp as we worry about our security when we go Photos (left to right): every Suco Chief in the country. home to vote, but if that cannot happen we will Chris Parkinson Currently in Dili, there are three informa- still go to make our vote” remarked Lindo, refer- Toby Gibson tion teams who are working in the field to main- ring to his family’s preference. He added that it is Renato da Costa tain the continual flow of timely information difficult deciding who to vote for, “there is a lot regarding health and sanitation issues, humani- more choice now, it was easier the first time”. tarian assistance, current security and district Marcelina and Mateus Pinto both agreed that news as well as to deliver messages to and from they are also happy with the choice of presidential the Information Service Centre established candidates saying “we are pleased that who our within the Ministry of Labour and Community next president will be, depends on the people” Reinsertion. The information distributed by the adding that they believed that by voting, the peo- project comes from different sources but is al- ple can choose a good leader for their country. ways disseminated in close collaboration with Florindo, another IDP commented. “The other humanitarian agencies. new president must focus on trying to understand As the Presidential election looms ever and solve the problems of the people”. He was closer, these information teams have been sup- fully aware of the significance of voting in these porting the Timorese electoral process by help- elections. “The only way to change the system and ing to distribute voter education materials at the our welfare comes from being able to vote…. we IDP camps. Press releases from the Govern- must go for the votes”, he remarked. continued on pg. 3 2 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION

Continued from page 2 Continued from page 1 Many of the IDP’s that we spoke with re- been deployed in the country to support the ceived information about the electoral process electoral process, which will target 522,933 reg- not only from the notice boards but also from istered voters, according to figures obtained the radio, television and newspapers, among from STAE. As part of its logistical support others. Their increased awareness of this demo- UNDP has provided 40 vehicles for transporta- cratic process will serve to enhance the belief tion of election materials. that they can direct the fate of Timor-Leste by “The 2007 Presidential election is the first national choosing its leaders. This sentiment was cap- tured well by one IDP, Imaculada. election since Timor-Leste gained its independence in “As Timorese, we must go to vote, if we do 2002, and the first nationwide elections to be organ- not, we will lose our future,” she said. ized by the national election authorities,” STAE Director Tomas Cabral

“TV and radio programmes have BROADCAST MEDIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE been documenting the electoral process The advent of public television and radio in During the through regular Timor Leste late 1999 gave rise to the belief prime time that a new era was opening in public communica- show, two productions; focus- tion. One of the great contributions expected of candidates ing on various television lay in its presumed capacity to inform per day are aspects such as and stimulate the political interests to the public allowed to air information on about the election for the president in this country. their views to As time has passed, events have seemed to the audience. voter registration, give substance to this expectation. The televising Meanwhile, polling centers and of important parliamentary hearings, the na- live broad- security matters.” tional nominating conventions, and most re- casting for cently the debates have appeared to make a all candidates novel contribution to the political life of the na- was held on 5 April 2007 at 3pm. tion. Large segments of the public have been At the same time, the radio broadcasting will Timorese journalists given a new, immediate contact with political also be accessible to the candidates. This is sig- at work. Showing events. Television has appeared to be fulfilling nificant since radio transmission is widespread interest at a CNE its early promise. throughout the country. In addition, TV and press conference. Since the 23 March 2007, when the presi- radio programmes have been documenting the Photos: Miguel Caldeira dential campaigns officially kicked off, TVTL, electoral process through regular productions the only TV station in this country, em- focusing on various aspects such as information barked on public information exer- on voter registration, polling centers and security cise to enlighten the voters about matters. Specifically, RTTL conceptualized two the polls. However, not all the programmes; Election Journal and Road to the people in this country will Palace. “The announcement of the registering have access to the na- for the media to cover the election event started tional TV. on 19 until 29 March 2007,” said Leo Doutel, So far TV the Chief of External Productions, RTTL. coverage is Election statistics are notoriously difficult to limited to interpret, but one thing is apparent: The advent Dili and its of radio was followed by a general and signifi- environs. cant increase of turnout in national elections; Since 26 March the arrival of television was not. Whatever new 2007, individual ingredients television has brought into the po- candidates have litical life of this country, it has not yet greatly af- been given air- fected the willingness of the average voter to go time on TV. to the polls. 3 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION WHO’S DOING WHAT

STAE – Technical Secretariat for UNDP – United Nations Development Electoral Administration Programme STAE is part of the Ministry for State Administra- In response to a request by the Government of tion and is the government agency responsible for Timor-Leste, UNDP established a program of Sup- actually making the Presidential and Parliamentary port to the Timorese Electoral Cycle, which is elections happen. funded by international donors. It supports STAE and CNE by providing them with experts in Voter It is in charge of the administration, organisation Education and Graphic Design as well as a Media and execution of the electoral processes and the Advisor and provides technical assistance for some consultation and support in electoral substance. of the main participants – the candidates, political parties, the media, national and international ob- CNE – National Electoral Commission servers. STAE Director The CNE is an independent body that supervises UNDP also supports voter education and civic ed- Tomas Cabral the conduct of the elections, is totally independent ucation activities through another one of its proj- meets with CNE from the Government and is enshrined in the Con- ects “Supporting Civil Society Organisations in Commissioner and stitution of Timor-Leste. It is in charge of monitor- Promoting Citizen Participation”. Spokesman Padre ing the election process and is made up of 15 Martinho da Silva members who may not have any responsibilities in Gusmão. a political party leadership or electoral candidacies. UNMIT – United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste CNE President Faustino Gomes Independent Electoral Certification UNMIT is responsible for providing advisory and receives district Team logistical support to STAE and CNE for the elec- equipment and tions. It is not responsible for running/administer- The Secretary-General has appointed a team of high- materials in ceremo- ing the elections, this duty ultimately lies with the level electoral experts to verify the satisfactory con- nial handover from national bodies. duct of each phase of the electoral process. The Bill Clive, Project Coordinator for the members of the team are Lucinda Almeida of Portu- The Security Council in New York agreed in Reso- UNDP Support to gal, Reginald Austin of Zimbabwe and Michael Maley lution 1704 that the United Nations should “pro- the Timorese Elec- of Australia. They will work independently of UNMIT vide accurate and objective information to the toral Cycle Project. and will submit their findings and recommendations Timorese people, particularly regarding the forth- to the Secretary-General and the Timor-Leste au- coming elections” and “provide resources and as- Photos: (left to right) thorities. The reports of which are then made avail- sistance to the preparations for the 2007 Karen Kelleher able to the public. elections”. Miguel Caldeira

UNV’s in Action A banner hangs as Working with the United Nations agencies system and national electoral authorities, the United Nations Vol- a reminder for people to come and vote unteer (UNV) programme supports the democratic process in countries around the world by assisting the or- on 9 April for their ganization, supervision and observance of local, regional and national elections. UNV is administered by the President. Two dif- United Nations Development Programme. Since November 2006, more than 250 United Nations Volunteers fernt banners were (UNV’s) from over 70 different countries have arrived in Timor-Leste to provide support to UNMIT in prepa- designed by the rations for the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. They provide Electoral Assistance Support through UNDP voter educa- work in operations and logistics, voter education and training. A more recent feature of UNV’s work in this area tion graphic designer includes strengthening the skills and capacities of national personnel, and thereby helping establish a local base and sent to the dis- for future elections. UNVs have been associated with the elections in Timor-Leste since 1999 when nearly 500 tricts for hanging. of them were first deployed in the country. Photo: Karen Kelleher

4 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION ALL SYSTEMS GO IN ERMERA! “We asked them Ermera district home to almost 100,000 people trict, they have been delivered to these networks of to deliver our and located south west of Dili is also one of contacts. Two weeks ago, a meeting of all 52 suco the largest of 13 Districts in Timor-Leste. It has 52 chiefs in the capital city provided a welcome op- message about the sucos (localities) spread across its 5 sub-districts portunity to distribute more voter manuals and elections to the of Railaku, Atsube, Hatolia, Letefoho and Er- other resource materials to publicize the elections, people through mera. There are almost 51,000 people in Ermera to take with them to each of their villages. Some workshops, meet- who are eligible to vote in these elections, which schools and universities have been particularly ings in their will be accommodated by fifty four established helpful and encouraged their students to register Polling Centres, all managed by polling officers for the elections by organising scheduled times for villages, schools, known as Brigadas and seventy four Polling Sta- them to go and do so in an orderly manner. This and churches” tions spread across the district itself. was very important as the majority of students eligible to vote in Ermera constitute ‘new voters’ who would not have previously registered before. “Isabel Soares Madeira is one of thirteen district voter education officers recruited by UNDP for STAE to conduct and coordinate voter education activities in the field” remarked Joanne Cheah, Voter Education Adviser, UNDP Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle Voter Education posters Last week Abdul Khaliq-Hotak, an Afghan Project. As a Timorese national, Isabel takes great and stickers. Relating UNV Voter Education Advisor and Isabel Soares privilege in her job as STAE Voter Education Of- messages such as ‘Peace- Madeira, a Timorese Voter Education Officer ficer as she provides polling information to this ful Elections’, ‘Women conducted voter education activities in Lilu suco in community in Lilu suco. “Some people didn’t have speak out’ and ‘Vote Railaku sub-district. any information about the elections and I can teach for your president’ along with date, time and The session was held in the office of the them about the process” she pronounced, which is place. Suco Chief, Bernando Babo. It was attended by exactly what these sessions aim to do. 46 men and women from the community and Using flip charts, posters and video presen- STAE voter education was conducted in collaboration with an NGO tations, the group were delivered generic infor- officer in Ermera district, called Fuhaco. Fuhaco is one of three NGO’s mation about the elections, the structure of Isabel Soares Madeira, explaining the electoral (non-government organisations), the others polling centres and staff, requirements and eli- process with the assis- being Hakada and Vatara, that are assisting gibility of voters on the day, procedures for vot- tance of an illustrated STAE in Ermera district with the delivery of ing and so on. They were played radio flip chart. voter and civic information for the elections. broadcasts about the elections and its candidates In the past few months, information with as well as shown current debates and dramas Photos: (left to right) regard to registration and voting for the elec- recorded by TVTL. Isabel has also helped assist Karen Kelleher Toby Gibson tions which has been sent from the Government with the training of the 3 NGO’s (Fuhaco, Rachel McKenna of Timor-Leste and STAE to Ermera’s district Hakada and Vatara) on how best to deliver these office was disseminated in a variety of ways. “We voter education activities and provide ongoing had an operational plan for each sub-district – civic education. to meet with suco chiefs, teachers, religious leaders, NGO’s, administrators and any other stake- holders” remarked Abdul. “We asked them to deliver our message about the elections to the people through workshops, meetings in their villages, schools, and churches”. Abdul also added that “people in general have been very co-operative and willing to support such national and peaceful activities”. As up-to-date education materials, posters, leaflets and banners have been arriving to the dis- 5 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION SUPPORT TO CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES

s part of the UNDP effort to support ended on 19 March. The UNDP and IRI trainers Getting the message out. Acandidates, parties and party coalitions held trainings in six districts; Los Palos, Baucau, Campaigners around competing in the 2007 Presidential and Parlia- Viqueque, Manatuto, Dili and Oecusse. The total Dili. mentary elections a Resource Center was estab- number of people trained was 346 and the aver- Campaign posters de- lished in Dili at the end of February. Support age participation rate for women was 28%. Fur- signed and printed for provided through this center is meant to increase ther trainings in the remaining districts will begin Presidential candidates opportunities for candidates, and later political shortly after the Presidential election. as part of the package parties, to participate effectively in the political offered by UNDP Resource Center.* process. Since its opening on 28 February, the Center has been well used by the majority of Photos: Toby Gibson candidate campaign teams. Through the Resource Center candidates have been provided with $500 in Timor Telecom recharge cards, access on an equitable basis to office equipment such as computers, printers, a photo- copy machine, internet and a land line. Each candidate was given 15,000 A4 sheets of paper for printing and photo- * Posters for Fernando de Araújo and Lúcia Lobato were produced independently and paid for by UNDP. copying and as of 5 April candidates had used 85% of their combined paper allocation. In addition to this support, candidates have also had access to a professional graphic design PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES service and the use of a $10,000 in-kind grand for the design and reproduction of Francisco Guterres - Lu-Olo President of FRETILIN campaign materials of their choosing. Starting • Born in Ossu, Viqueque District in 1954. 28 February through 8 March materials were • Currently President of FRETILIN and President of designed in collaboration with candidates and the National Parliament. deliveries of campaign materials were made to • He spent most of the Indonesian period as Chief candidates before the campaign period began. Political Adjunct with FALINTIL. • Deputy Secretary of the Directive Commission of The following materials were designed and FRETILIN (CDF) in 1987; Secretary of CDF in 1997 printed through the Center: 25,475 posters; 196 after Konis Santana died. banners; 1,000 stickers; 1,000 flags; 2,531 • General Coordinator of the Presidential Council of t-shirts; 15,000 booklets; 16,750 flyers and FRETILIN after the CDF was abolished. • He attained the following positions within the leaflets; and 4545 calendar cards. National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) Following the Presidential Election on 9 in 1998: a member of the National Political Coun- April the national Candidate Resource Center cil; Secretary for Political Affairs; and a member of will be transformed into a Political Party the Political-Military Council. Resource Center. In this regard, all 15 political • He is currently completing his law degree in Dili. parties currently registered were invited to a Avelino M. Coelho - Shalar Kosi F.F. meeting on 14 March to learn about the UNDP Secretary-General of PST support package for political parties which will • Born in Laclubar, Manatuto District in 1962. be provided through the Dili Center and soon • Currently Secretary-General of the Timorese to be established district centers. District centers Socialist Party (PST) and a member of President Gusmão’s Council of State. will be opened in Baucau, Maliana and Oecusse • He spent most of the Indonesian period in Java and by mid-April. Bali as a student studying International Relations, The first phase of the training programme and as an independence activist. for political parties, conducted through the Cen- • After the 1999 Popular Consultation, he was a member of the National Consultative Council and ter and in collaboration with the International the National Council. Republican Institute, began on 14 March and 6 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES CONTINUED

Francisco Xavier do Amaral José Ramos Horta President of ASDT Independent • Born in Turiscai, Manufahi District in 1937. • Born in Dili in 1949 of • Currently President of the Association of a Timorese mother and Timorese Social Democrats (ASDT) and one a Portuguese father ex- of the Deputy Presidents of the Parliament. iled to Timor-Leste by • Secondary education in Soibada, Manatuto the Salazar dictator- District and Dare Seminary; he completed ship. seminary studies in Macau in 1963 and • Currently he is taking returned to Dili as a teacher. leave from his position • One of the founding members of the original as Prime Minister to run for President. ASDT and then FRETILIN. • One of the founding members of ASDT and • He was chosen as President of the independ- FRETILIN in 1974 and 1975 when he was a ent Government proclaimed by FRETILIN in journalist. November 1975; fell out with FRETILIN over • He left Dili before the Indonesian invasion to ideological differences; he subsequently left to advocate for international recognition of live in Jakarta as a language teacher. Timor-Leste’s sovereignty. • After the 1999 Popular Consultation, he • He spent 25 years (from 1975 to 1999) as returned to Dili and reformed ASDT. leader of the diplomatic wing of the resistance • He ran against Gusmão in the 2002 Presiden- movement and spokesperson. tial election. • He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Bishop Belo, in 1996. Manuel Tilman • In 2002, he became one of the few independ- President of KOTA ents in the FRETILIN government and served • Born in Maubisse, Ainaro District in 1946. as Foreign Minister. • Currently Secretary-General of KOTA and an • He was appointed Prime Minister in 2006 after MP. the resignation of Mari Alkatiri. • MP in the Portuguese Parliament for the ASDI party from 1980 to 1984. João Viegas Carrascalão • Legal consultant for the Azores Regional President of UDT Government. • Born in Liquiça in 1945. • He moved to Maucau where he spent many • Currently President of the Democratic Union years; he returned to Timor-Leste in 2001. of Timorese (UDT) and the Head of Timor- • Lawyer and legal, economic and financial con- Leste’s Olympic Committee. sultant in Macau and Hong Kong. • Member of the Portuguese Legislative Council • He was elected as the Secretary of the of Timor in 1973. National Direction Committee for Economy, • He was a founding member of UDT and led Finance and Administration of the CNRT in the UDT coup in 1975. 1998. • After the FRETILIN counter-coup, he fled to • Former President of the Specialized Commit- Atambua, and then spent time in Portugal and tee on Finance and Economy in the Australia, where he worked as a professor of Constituent Assembly. civil engineering • Previously a member of FRETILIN and UDT. • He returned to Timor-Leste in 1999. • Infrastructure Minister under the First Transi- Lúcia Maria Brandão Freitas Lobato tional Government. MP for PSD • Born in Bazartete, Liquiça District in 1965. Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo • Currently an MP for the Social Democratic President of PD Party (PSD). • Born in Ainaro District in 1963. • Sister of former Interior Minister Rogério • Currently President of Democratic Party (PD), Lobato. which he founded in 2001. • She studied law in Surabaya, Indonesia. • University studies in Bali, Indonesia after con- • Member of RENETIL (National Student cluding secondary education in Dili. Resistance of Timor-Leste) in 1987. • One of the founding members, and former Sec- • She worked in the Office of Xanana Gusmão in retary-General, of the student group RENETIL Jakarta, Indonesia in 1999. (National Student Resistance of East Timor) in • Lawyer and consultant from 2000 to 2005. 1988. • Member of Judicial Commission of UNTAET • Imprisoned for pro-independence activities from 2000 to 2001. after the Santa Cruz massacre in 1991 and in • She was elected as a member of the Con- 1994 sent to Cipinang prison in Jakarta, In- stituent Assembly for PSD from September donesia alongside Xanana Gusmão. 2001 to May 2002. • Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Second Transitional Government. * Candidates are in the order as they appear on the ballot paper.

7 ELECTION NEWS SPECIAL EDITION COORDINATION OF ELECTORAL OBSERVERS

he Observer Coordination Center (‘the design of a crocodile guarding a ballot box, that TCenter’) provides a base for electoral ob- came from the Center too, the design having been servers to work, while in Dili, and a forum for created by the UNDP Graphic Designer. them to coordinate their activities and deploy- ments to allow for maximum coverage on Elec- tion Day. It is located at the UNDP Project Office, Av. Direitos Humanos, Leceidere, Nain Feto, Dili. Managed by the International Observer Coor- dinator, the Centre provides briefings for Interna- tional Observers and gives each one of them an Information Pack (in English or Portuguese). This Pack contains information on electoral observation (accreditation, coordination, Code of Conduct) and on the electoral process (context, legal basis man- agement, timetable, polling centres, candidates, etc.). A National Observer Coordinator (NOC) UNDP ‘Support to the It also has information about the Electoral certifi- works both at STAE and at the Center. The Timorese Electoral cation Team, and about Timor-Leste. The Centre NOC’s principal duties are to support STAE in Cycle’ Project. Bill Clive, Project Coordina- is also the point of liaison with STAE for accredi- training national observers, and to facilitate con- tor; Anita Delany, tation of International Observers and tacts between national and international ob- National Observers will act as the link to UNPol in server groups. At the end of March around Coordinator; and Nick making available up to 1,900 national observers from about 56 different Selsey International date information NGOs had been registered with STAE. Observers Coordinator review the International on the current se- The IOCC may also facilitate a post-election Observer jacket designs. curity situation in forum for interested observers to meet and ex- Timor-Leste. And if change views and experiences. Photo: Rachel McKenna you see International Observers wearing a Note: The UN will not in any way formally observe these elections, Communications Office jacket with a striking nor will they issue any reports on them. UNDP Timor-Leste Editorial Team: Sammy Mwiti, Media Officer; Renato da Costa, Media Assistant; Continued from page 5 Isabel says that “Voter education is so im- Rachel McKenna, UNV When asked what appeared to be the most portant for the people of this country as it Communications Associate pressing concern voiced by people attending teaches them how to vote for who they want to www.undp.org.tl these sessions, security on polling day seems to lead this country, which is their democratic UNDP Support to the be their top priority. right” and thinks that citizens will choose their Timorese Electoral Cycle “If there is no good security, people will not next president “based on what they promise to Editorial Contibutions: come to vote” remarked Isabel, adding that “we deliver to Timor-Leste”. In conclusion she Bill Clive, Project Coordinator; Miguel Caldeira, Media have done our best to demonstrate through the added that is should be “someone who will look Advisor flip charts that a strong security presence will be after the people”. Joanne Cheah, Voter granted during the elections”. Another big chal- Back in the Ermera District Office, the Education Advisor; Sophie Khan, lenge which the electoral team faced in Ermera UNV Operations and Logistical Advisor, Amar- Resource Center Coordinator; was the amount of people without the necessary jit Singh along with his national electoral coun- Nick Selsey, International identification which is required of voters. To cope terparts were busy preparing boxes containing Observer Coordinator with this excess demand, this predicament was re- all the polling resources sent from STAE which Design: Karen Kelleher, Graphic solved by only issuing new voters with the new will be delivered to each of the Polling Centres Designer; registration cards (which also serve as formal iden- in Ermera this week. It’s full speed ahead; with www.undptimorelections.tl tification) and allowing old registration cards to be all hands on deck as International and National used as identification on polling day. People were staff co-ordinate their efforts to assist with the The project is funded by advised to up-date their old registration cards after electoral process in a district most famous for International Donors: European Union, Australia, the presidential election when there is more time its coffee plantations, lush green valleys and pro- Japan, Ireland, Portugal and and less pressure on the system. duction of tais (traditional woven articles). United States of America