DILI, january 18, 2021 (TATOLI) – Martinho Germano da Silva Gusmão, a former priest, has announced his candidacy for President of the Republic with the aim of “ensuring national consensus and political commitment”.
The Republican presidential candidate chose as his election campaign motto “For the People, With the People, We Win”.
“After the President of the Republic announced the election date on March 19, I, Martinho Gusmão, intend to officially announce my candidacy. This is an inclusive application. The aim is to ensure national consensus as well as political commitment,” said Martinho Gusmão, in Metiaut, Dili.
According to the candidate, his candidacy was inclusive because he has never been affiliated with any party.
“I have never been affiliated with any party and I am not an independent candidate. My candidacy is based on the people, on behalf of the people.”
Martinho Gusmão, on the other hand, said he had started a dialogue with the country’s religious community and the Timorese people to receive more support for his candidacy.
“With my official nomination as Head of State, I leave the priestly life,” he stressed.
Regarding national consensus, candidates have discussed the issue with various political parties to seek consensus in the election process.
“Regarding the national consensus, we want to strengthen the country’s development and meet the needs of the people. During the meeting with various political parties, the United and Democratic Development Party (PUDD) expressed its willingness to support my candidacy,” he said.
According to Martinho Gusmão, he will manage, this week, to collect the five thousand signatures needed to formalize his candidacy for the presidential election.
Regarding Xanana Gusmão’s support for his candidacy, Martinho Gusmo replied that the leader of the CNRT party has not yet announced the name.
It should be noted that the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres ‘Lú Olo’, has announced his re-application for the post, whose program is based on eight points, covering the fight against “injustice, corruption, collusion and nepotism” in the elderly.
“I will again run for President of the Republic of Timor-Leste and all the people. I promise to make decisions based on the Constitution, as Head of State, using my conscience,” he said
It is known that the Head of State has scheduled a presidential election on March 19.
“If no candidate obtains 50% + 1 of the total number of valid votes in the election, the second round will take place within 30 days following article 12, paragraph 2, of the Presidential Election Act of the Republic” o a statement that Tatoli has access to the Presidential Palace in Aitarak-Laran.
Journalist: Domingos Piedade Freitas
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Jose Belarmino de Sa
