DILI, 20 may 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta called on all Timorese citizens to exercise their democratic rights to vote on may 21 parliamentary elections.
“Compatriots, Beloved People, tomorrow we will vote. I call upon all citizens with an electoral card to exercise this right, a citizen’s right and obligation,” Horta made the call in his speech at the celebration of the 21st Anniversary of the Independence Restoration Day, at the Presidential Palace, in Dili, today.
A total of 890,145 Timorese voters will head to polling stations to cast their ballots in tomorrow’s parliamentary elections.
Elections are held every five years using a party-list proportional representation voting system to elect 65 members to the National Parliament. Voting is voluntary for all Timorese citizens over the age of 17.
There have been five elections for the parliament in Timor-Leste: 2001, 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2018.
At the celebration of the Independence Restoration Day, Horta took the opportunity to appreciate and thank all parties for their remarkable efforts and contribution to carrying out the electoral process.
The Head of State congratulated the electoral institutions, STAE and CNE, in their respective missions, for the swift and professional manner in which they carried out the electoral process.
“I congratulate our National Police for the impartial and professional manner in which they have acted throughout the electoral process. I congratulate our Armed Forces for their presence as a deterrent in support of the National Police,” said Horta.
President also congratulated the municipal authorities, Suku, and Village Chiefs, who are the front line in the daily management of activities in the rural regions and neighborhoods of the capital.
Horta also expressed his gratitude to the Justice and Peace Commission for its active contribution to the process of civic education and electoral observation and monitoring.
“I thank the United Nations system and in particular UNDP for their prompt, efficient, and generous technical contribution to allowing the democratic electoral process to take place,” he said.
Horta also thank all friendly countries hosting Timorese citizens for all their contributions in facilitating the exercise of the electoral act.
“I warmly welcome the international observers that are among us, in particular the observers from the Union Government of Myanmar. We hope that without further delay democracy is returned to the people of Myanmar. Your presence encourages and honors us.
The President expressed his warmest wishes to all the political parties registered for these elections: “There will be celebrations, there will be disappointments. Such is democracy. Life goes on, the Nation will go on, the challenges are great, and the opportunities are also great. The Nation needs everyone. There will be no losers. There will only be the celebration of our democracy, a young, dynamic democracy, rooted in our culture and identity.”
“I congratulate the President of the National Parliament, Dr. Aniceto Guterres, and all the Members of Parliament for your great legislative productivity and for your skillful conduct of the work of the Fifth Legislature that is about to close. I thank you, Mr. President, for your always ready and kind willingness to engage in dialogue and institutional cooperation.”
“I congratulate Prime Minister Taur Matam Ruak for his governance, for having been able to manage very difficult situations – political crisis, natural disasters, pandemics, and the impact of the irrational war in Ukraine with all its consequences for the world and our people.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
