DILI, 23 march 2022 (TATOLI) – The electoral legal framework of Timor–Leste, particularly “Government Decree No. 2/2022 of 10th january 2022 (Regulation on Electoral Observation and Monitoring Activities for the Election of the President of the Republic). Thus, the g7+ deployed a team of election observers for 2022 Presidential Election in the Democratic Republic of Timor–Leste, said The District Electoral Manager, National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone and the Chief of g7+ Observer Election of Presidential in Timor–Leste, Larry Bojohn Fangawa.
“It must be clearly noted that the Timor–Leste‘s Presidential Election of 19th march 2022 is first to be observed by the g7+ of election observers. However, g7+ plans to institutionalize its election observation drive and to observe future elections in member states depending on the availability of the resources,’’ The District Electoral Manager, National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone and the Chief of g7+ Observer Election of Presidential in Timor–Leste, told reporters at the of office of g7 + in Palace Government, Dili on this wednesday.
“The g7+ team of Election Observers is led by myself and comprises ten members drawn from three g7+ member states, eight from Timor–Leste, one from Afghanistan and one from Sierra Leone,’’ Larry Fangawa, added.
The District Electoral Manager, National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone and the Chief of g7+ Observer Election of Presidential in Timor–Leste, Larry Bojohn Fangawa, stated the team ‘s principal mandate was to observe polling day activities from view point of independence, impartiality and objectivity which are in tandem with international best practice for election observation.
“The team was divided in two groups and observed a total of 28 polling stations in Baucau, Dili and Bobonaro municipality. Methodology, the team used a checklist tool which aided its observers to fairly and independently observe the polling process (opening of polls, counting and tabulation process); the political environment; security coverage; and assistant to voters with special needs. Therefore, our preliminary findings are based on these four thematic areas, and we feel satisfied with the process of the 2022 presidential election which took place on 19th march 2022,’’ he said.
In that report the g7+ team of election observers notes that this recommendation should be seen as a put forward the following recommendation to the Government of Timor–Leste through the Technical Secretariat for election Administration (STAE) and the Commission of National Election (CNE) as follows:
- Reform to increase voting period and modification in counting procedure which will enhance increased voter participation in the voting process and expedite the vote counting exercise respectively. This will further accelerate the vote tabulation process and risk reduction of election violence as votes at many polling centers would have been counted before nightfall.
- Decongest number of voters allocated to polling stations by creation of more polling stations which also help in spending up the voting process.
- Since voting is done at polling station level it is recommended that counting also takes place at respective polling stations. The individual polling station results can be further computed to get one polling Centre result.
- Furthermore, STAE should consider reducing the number of polling staff as polling stations. The g7+ team of election observers is of the view that reducing the number will not affect polling operation in any way.
- The g7+ election team noted the use of blue colored ballot boxes for polling but would want to encourage the Election Management Body (EMBs) responsible to incorporate using transparent ballot boxes which will invariably help to increase the level of transparency, confidence and trust in the voting process.
- It is also recommended that certified true copies of polling centers results be given to representatives of candidate agents present at individual polling centers.
- Inasmuch as our team applauds STAE for instituting “ Parallel voting stations’’ in Dili it also notes that pre- arrangements for these stations should be thoroughly done to accommodate more voters and to ensure that those who earlier on re- registered at this “parallel polling stations” are guaranteed the right to vote on polling day.
- The EMBs should improve on electoral/ voter education or outreach programs to create enlightened citizenry particularly for first time voters and other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, EMBs should broaden the electoral outreach space to accommodate political parties, civil society and nongovernmental organizations This will help enhance an improved voter participation and reduction in invalid votes.
The g7+ team make conclusion as following:
- Conclusively, the issues identified by g7+ Observation Team were minor in our view and are not significant to materially affect the overall outcome of the election.
- We also note and are extremely impressed that the final certified presidential election result has been announced with an encouraging percentage of the election.
- The g7+ team of election observers reiterate that political actors and other stakeholders continue to uphold the peace and serenity of Timor–Leste and use appropriate electoral redress mechanism as an option when electorally aggrieved.
- Finally, the g7+ team of election observers congratulates the political actors and people of Timor–Leste for largely exercising their franchise in a peaceful and democratic manner catching the administration of the international space. It is also expected that people of this country continue a manifestation of this positive attitude in the post- election era as the clock ticks down to the Presidential Election run-off due 19th april 2022.
Related news:MoFAC donates $1 million to g7+ in Timor–Leste
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafy Belo
