DILI, 13 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres ‘Lu Olo’ said people with disabilities have the same right as others to cast their votes, saying ‘The disability vote counts’.
“I would call on all entities to pay attention to the voting right of people with disabilities to cast their votes in the 2022 Presidential Election. Voting is Timor-Leste’s principle and a basic democratic right that should be protected under the constitution. The State plays an important role in promoting the rights of the people with disabilities to participate in the next election,” President Lu Olo made the comments during the launching ceremony of the result of the electoral survey, at Lalini hall, in Dili, on Thursday.
Lu Olo said Timor-Leste was declared as a democratic nation since the restoration of its independence in 2002 with a modern constitution, approved by the first National Assembly of the nation: “The Assembly Constitution was made up of 88 members from 12 different political parties. We share and finally, we produced a constitution with the principles of the rule of law, democratic, sovereign, independent, and national unity.”
The National Constitution is the guidance for drafting other ordinary laws that were approved by the National Parliament and the President of the Republic to be published on the Official Gazette of the President of the Republic.
“Our constitution valued the dignity and the wiliness of the people. It is because sovereignty and political power belong to the people. It is defined in article 7 of the national constitution that people have the right to vote for any political party to choose their representatives at parliament and government leaders through the general election. This article ensures all citizens have equal rights to cast their votes,” said Lu Olo.
President of the National Election Commission (CNE), Alcino de Araujo Barris said Civic Education is important to boost the quality of the election.
“Civic Education helps to boost the knowledge and the spirit of the citizens, particularly the young people, rural communities, people with disabilities on the electoral process. Therefore, we need to ensure fair and delicate treatment to all groups. Thus, CNE will continue its investment in human resources,” Barris said.
Civic education is a solid program to ensure the participation of the voters in the next election and strengthening democracy in the country.
Journalist: Osoria Marques
Editor: Francisco Simões
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
