DILI, 22 december 2021 ( TATOLI)- Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Masami Kinefuchi informs that, Japan has donated U$4 million through the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) to support The Technical Secretariat of the General Election Administration (STAE) and National Electoral Commission (CNE) in preparation for the 2022 presidential election in Timor-Leste.
“UNDP is Japan’s trusted therefore the Government of Japan through its Embassy in Dili has donated US$4 million through UNDP to work with STAE and CNE in establishing STAE and CNE offices in Timor-Leste, to support election activities,” Kinefuchi told TATOLI at the Plaza, Suai room, Dili today.
Japan has assisted Timor – Leste in every general election, for nearly 20 and is committed to continuing to assist Timor – Leste to hold a transparent, free and democratic 2022 Presidential election.
UNDP Resident Representative in Timor – Leste Munktuya Altangerel said the $4 million donated by the Government of Japan was to build 3 new CNE offices in the municipality including the rehabilitation of STAE’s headquarters in Dili.
“We have been working closely with the Government of Japan through its embassy for 10 years in Timor – Leste. This $4 million fund is managed directly by UNDP to support STAE and CNE building a new office to facilitate STAE and CNE in the preparation for the elections,”
At the same time, the Director-General of STAE Acilino Manuel Branco confirmed that three new CNE offices would be built in the three municipalities of Vikkeke, Suai, and Manatuto adding that rehabilitation would also be carried out at the main office of STAE Kaikoli Dili.
“All Bills of Quantity (BOQ) have become the responsibility of UNDP including feasibility studies and designers have been carried out by UNDP. We hope that the construction of the office will be carried out in early 2022,” said Branco.
At the same time, Branco expressed his deepest appreciation to the Japanese Government through its Embassy in Dili for the support given to TL so far.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
