DILI, 12 december 2021 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s National Elections Commission (CNE) keeps realizing the civic education across the country to promote and boost youths participation in the upcoming Presidential Election.
“CNE had been organizing seminars on civic education to raise the awareness of the youths, particularly the high school and university students across the country to prepare themselves to participate in the 2021 presidential election,” José Agostinho Belo, the President of CNE told TATOLI at his office, on friday.
So far, CNE had organized seminars on civic education at Dili University (UNDIL), Oriental University of Timor-Leste (UNITAL), 4 de Setembro High School in Viqueque Municipality, Dom Martinho da Costa Lopes High School, and Vocational-technical school of MALIBACA, in Bonbonaro municipality, as well as high schools in Laga Administrative post of Baucau municipality, and high schools in Watukarbau and Ossu Administrative post of Viqueque municipality and etc.
Belo informed that election is not mandatory for all citizens, saying, therefore, CNE’s civic education programs aimed to reach out to those young voters to exercise their role as good citizens in the upcoming election.
“It’s important for these young people to know the presidential election process. Through civic education, CNE will inform these young voters how to get their electoral cards. In addition, CNE teaches them about their role as good citizens in a democratic society,” Belo said.
The registration of the new voters had been extended until January 2022.
He said each CNE’s commissary in the 12 municipalities, including RAEOA, will keep realizing the civic education in their municipality.
Civic education is the study of the theoretical, political, and practical aspects of citizenship, as well as its rights and duties.
“Election is important for citizens to choose the right leaders to move the nation forward,” he said.
Previously, the Director-General of the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE), Acilino Manuel Branco informed that so far more than 7.000 new voters had been registered: “Currently, we have around 847.315 voters and the number will increase by the end of the year.”
He said up to 1.200 vote centers and 1.500 polling stations had been set across the country, adding three parallel vote centers would be established in Dili.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
