DILI, 24 may 2023 (TATOLI) – The g7+ Election Observation Mission (EOM) congratulated Timor-Leste on its success in conducting the parliamentary election in a safe, fair, transparent, and peaceful manner.
EOM observers comprised of 15 observers (four internationals and 11 nationals), and the observers were divided into five teams, deployed across three municipalities namely Dili, Liquiça, and Manatuto who visited 83 polling centers, corresponding to 5.7% of the total number of 1472 polling centers.
Habib Ur Rehman Mayar, Deputy General Secretary of the g7+ said that the observers noted that the official Technical Administrative Electoral Secretariat (STAE) officials demonstrated confidence and impartiality in conducting the election.
“We applauded the STAE officials for a well-administered poling. The layout at the polling stations observed met international best practices in which all materials, polling staff, party agents, and observers were present. We noted that the polling centers opened and closed on time as per the law,” Mayar said in a press conference, held in Dili, today.
The observers also noted that in some stations, polling officials took the oath of service, which is considered good practice to remind them of commitment, dedication, and transparency, whilst on duty – a great example that could be replicated in other g7+ member countries.
He said the g7+ observed that the voting process was calm, orderly, and transparent: “We commended that the counting process had the presence of party agents, national and international observers, voters, and media. We also observed sufficient security in all polling centers.”
“We congratulated Timor-Leste on its success in conducting the parliamentary election in a safe, fair, transparent, and peaceful manner,” Mayar stressed.
He said that the g7+ will submit a preliminary report to National Election Commission in the near future.
“The g7+ EOM is part of our peer learning and fragile-to-fragile cooperation. The program aims at contributing to democratic consolidation, strengthening peace and development. The g7+ will continue observing elections in other member countries,” Mayar added.
This year, EOM plan to observe the election in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Togo.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
