UN: Timor Leste achieves a good reputation in Asia Pacific about in holding elections

DILI, 10 march 2022 (TATOLI)-The United Nations Coordinator (UN) in Timor–Leste Roy Trivedy, said Timor–Leste achieves a good reputation in Asia Pacific on holding the election.

“In the last two decades the Timor–Leste‘s election has undergone significant changes, it is evident that Timor-Leste has been appreciated by the countries in the Asia Pacific during this time, UN Residence in Timor-Leste Roy Trivedy, told TATOLI in Hotel Timor, Colmera Dili, today.

Roy Trivedy, explained that, this appreciation was conveyed by the Asia Pacific because for last two decades in Timor – Leste it has always succeeded in holding the elections which is safe, free, honest and full of peace and able to promote the democracy in accordance with human rights in Timor – Leste.

He added, Timor-Leste’s reputation in holding the general elections could be achieved because the Government of Timor-Leste through the Management Electoral Body such as, the National Election Commission (CNE), the Secretariat of Technical Electoral Administration (STAE) and relevant institutions were able to organize the elections well.

“CNE, STAE and relevant institutions have done a good work, for example they are able to communicate well with international partners in inviting many international observers from the European Union (EU) and also national observers to observe directly the presidential election which will be held on march 19, 2022, to ensure a safe, fair and honest presidential election by promoting peace to grow up the democracy and human rights in Timor – Leste,” UN Resident in Timor-Leste Roy Trivedy stressed.

This achievement must be improved in the next general election to gain appreciation from other countries in order that Timor – Leste’s reputation will be better internationally. Hope that the 2022 President of the Republic‘s election can be participated maximally by all the electors across Timor–Leste.

However, Timor-Leste ranked first in South East Asia in 2016 Democracy Index. The Democracy Index 2016, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit on the 25^th of january, has ranked Timor-Leste as the top country in South East Asia based on a consideration of electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of the Government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties. The index attempts to provide “a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide for 165 independent states and two territories”.

In the 2016 Index Timor-Leste was ranked 1^st in South East Asia, 5^th in Asia and 43^rd of all states assessed. The country score for the last four years has remained steady at 7.24 out of 10 in an environment where almost half of the countries covered have registered a decline in their scores between 2006 and 2016.

Journalist: Camilio de Sousa

Editor : Rafy Belo