DILI, 28 march 2023 (TATOLI) – The General Commander of the Timorese National Police (PNTL), Commissioner Herique da Costa has instructed the PNTL’s Municipal Commanders and Police Information Service (PIS) to start identifying sites associated with conflicts in preparation for the upcoming elections.
“The identification of conflict sites is necessary for PNTL to design specific operation plans to prevent conflicts among the followers of political parties during the election campaign and the election,” Costa told reporters at his first meeting with PNTL officers, in Dili, after becoming the PNTL General Commander.
He said PNTL municipal commanders will soon receive the police operation plans in order to effectively control the election campaign to ensure a peaceful and stable election in the country.
When asked about how many locations have been identified, and how many police officers would be deployed to the conflict sites, Costa said it is the responsibility of the Police Operation Commander.
During his swearing-in ceremony held on monday (27/03), Commander Costa pledged to work hard in collaboration with all parties to ensure a peaceful and democratic election in the country.
The upcoming parliamentary elections will be held on 21 may 2023, in which 17 political parties will be contesting 65 Seats.
The last parliamentary elections were held in may 2018, which the EU observer mission called “transparent, well-managed and credible” elections, and were generally peaceful and orderly, despite some violent incidents during the campaign period.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
