DILI, 28 february 2022 (TATOLI)- The National Election Commission (CNE) had organized the signing of National Pact Unity which is signed by 16 candidates of President of the Republic.
This ritual activity is presided over by the traditional leader from 12 Municipalities including RAEOA.
The President of National Election Commission (CNE), José Belo said, Timor – Leste will have the presidential elections on march 19, 2022 and all electors must be committed to respect the general principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor – Leste (CRDTL).
“The optimism of the CNE resides in the fact that political power is rooted in the people to extent that the elected bodies of sovereignty and local power are chosen through the elections, universal, free direct, secret, personal and periodic suffrage,” (Article 65 of CRDTL),” President of CNE José Belo told reporters in the Auditorium of CNE, Larigutu, Lalini, Colmera, Dili today.
The President of CNE, José Belo, added that with the signing of the National Unity Pact, through a ritual ceremony the presidential candidates will receive the blessings from ancestors for prioritizing the peace in smoothing a successful Presidential Election to build national development in Timor – Leste.
In the signing of National Pact Unity CNE prepares the text of Pacific Electoral Pact and provide peace and unity such as; Comply with the Constitution, laws, government degrees for the election of Presidential in 2022; Respect the Universal principles of the electoral campaign; Promote Human Rights and Gender Equality as pillar to strengthen Democracy; Consider and promote Dialogue as a means for consolidating peace and Stability and National Unity for the development of the nation of Timor – Leste; Accept the result of the Presidential Election and the candidate elected for the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor – Leste in the Period of 2022- 2027.
The Traditional Ritual, known as “Bua-Malus / Betele e Noz de Betele”, with the involvement of the participants in the chewing of Bua-Malus (Fruit – Leaf) and Nos de Betele (shrub plant from Asia with scraps of areca knots) -palm tree) and lime, all sitting sacred on the floor and wearing traditional attire, symbolizes a sacred agreement that will bind the Presidential Candidates in defense of the Pacific Election because they assume a commitment before the traditional authorities, the “Lia Nain (Lords of the Word), in terms of ancestral rules and values established in a traditional cultural context and respected by any Timorese.
The Program of National Unity Pact and the Ritual Ceremony is organized by the CNE and facilitated by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan through its Embassy in Timor – Leste.
Four candidates are absent
Meanwhile, the candidates for President of the Republic, Berta, Mariano, Antero and Isabel did not attend the National Unity Pact which is organized by CNE.
“CNE has informed to them and all the presidential candidates agreed that the National Unity Pact must be conducted but today there are four candidates of the President of the Republic who were not present but they were represented by their representatives to sign the National Unity Pact,” President CNE José Belo, told reporters.
The President of CNE, Belo explained that the four candidates of the President of the Republic were not present to sign the Pact of National Unity because there was no time. CNE did not force them and did not impose sanctions for those who did not attend but Timor – Leste has strong customs and the consequences can come in the future because Timor – Leste lives together with nature.
“They didn’t violate anything, but we carried out this National Unity Pact through the customs of 12 municipalities including RAEOA, therefore the impact is very high if we don’t obey it. Timor – Leste lives with the universe because of that if we don’t obey it, our ancestors will be angry with us, although not now but we will feel it someday, as Timorese let us obey our customs and ancestors,” President of CNE Belo added.
The purpose of the signing of the National Unity Pact through the traditional ritual ceremony is, in order that, the candidates of President of the Republic are given wisdom by the ancestors of Timor – Leste to stay healthy and well, prioritize the peace, love one another, avoid slander and curse one another in smoothing the campaign process of the President of the Republic from march 02 to 16 and continued with the President of the Republic’s election on 19 of march, 2022 successfully and peacefully.
Related news:The Candidates of President of the Republic will sign the Pact of National Unity
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafy Belo
