DILI, 18 july 2021 (TATOLI) –The legal experts from Kmanek Halibur Unidade Timoroan (KHUNTO) party clarified has not officially nominated Armanda Berta do Santos as a candidate for President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for 2022-2027.
KHUNTO Party Legal Expert, Ismael Lopes explained, the statement from the KHUNTO Party Armanda Berta on july 4, is a statement to the militants that She is ready to run for President of the Republic 2022-2027.
“The KHUNTO party has not officially nominated Armanda Berta as President of RDTL, but the statement was made for the militant party. She only stated internally at the inauguration of the KHUNTO party headquarters. This is not a public statement, we can say this is a public statement if she has registered herself at the KHUNTO party in CNE as Presidential Candidate,” said Ismael at the Residence of the KHUNTO Party Leader Manleu on Saturday.
He added that the KHUNTO Party had not yet conducted a pre-campaign as politicians and other legal experts said, giving KHUNTO T-shirts and attributes just to celebrate the inauguration of the KHUNTO headquarters which was held on the 4th ago.
In the same place, as the other KHUNTO parties, Arnaldo da Costa Lopes explained that he did not accept the declarations from various politicians and other legal experts who stated that Armanda Berta’s candidacy was in violation and incompatible because she was still serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusiveness.
“We want to explain that we do not agree with the information because currently the presidential candidate for 2022-2027 has not been chosen, and is not legally valid,” said Arnaldo.
From the RDTL Constitution, article 78 on the Prohibition of concurrent positions, it is stated that the President of the Republic is not permitted to carry out office or other public functions at the national level and, in any case, is not allowed to carry out private functions.
Arnaldo emphasized that in order to officially become a candidate, Armanda must follow the law 7/2006 in article 16 regarding the place and deadline for submission, he said that the nomination was submitted before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, within 20 days from the date of issuance of the decision starting from the election date.
“If She has been elected President then She is not compatible, She cannot be carried out by another government, but if it has been published in the Journal of the Republic then She is legitimate,” he explained.
According to him, there is no article that prohibits her limitation to run as a candidate for President of RDTL which is said to be about Eligibility article 75, Law no. 7/2006 concerning the Presidential Election of the Republic, Amendment to Law no. 5/2007, Second Amendment to Law no. 8/2011, Third Amendment to Law No.2/2012, Fourth Amendment to Law No.7/2012.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafy Belo
