DILI, 30 october 2023 (TATOLI) – A total of 2,117 candidates contested the 2023 village chief elections, held on 28 october, and another 251 candidates will compete again in the second round, which will take place on 13 october.
The Director General of Decentralization and Local Government at the Ministry of Public Administration (MAE), António Guterres, said that the 251 candidates were eligible to compete in the second round of village head election.
He said that the government is well aware of the complaints from social media users about the election process, adding that the government will improve the election process: “On behalf of the Government, I congratulated all Timorese for their participation in the village head election.”
STAE Director-General Acílino Manuel Branco said that village elections are held under Village Law No./2016, 8 Jul which the village councils are responsible for organizing elections.
The President of the National Elections Commission (CNE), José Belo, said that the CNE identified minor irregularities during the village head election.
The president of the CNE also recorded complaints about voter identification and the distribution of ballot papers.
Timor-Leste’s Village Chief Election is held every seven years. The last election was held on september 2016.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
