Timor-Leste Presidential (April 9, 07) Election Monitoring & Observation 2007 Statement

Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - 11 April, 2007

Important Points for Electoral Reform and Legal Implementation in Timor-Leste.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the people and the government for the peaceful Presidential Election held on the 9th April 2007. The observers appreciated East Timorese people for their positive will for democracy and good cooperation to the all 15 Election Commissioners from CNE and the management team from STAE. The observers also noted the remarkable high voter turn out.

ANFREL admired the hard work of polling officers at all polling stations who worked from the evening before the polling day till night of the Election Day and the non-governmental organization i.e. KOMEG, human rights NGOs and all the other groups of international observers. ANFREL would like to also commend the effective work from UNMIT and UNPol, who worked rapidly to solve all potential violence that could take place during the campaign and counting period. ANFREL still would like to see some more development regarding the democratic future, holding of free and fair elections for the coming Parliamentary election, it takes the opportunity to point out some aspects for further consideration and discussion in Timor-Leste and among the other Asian democratic countries.

The Election Administration

* It would be important to have a fully independent management body (STAE) and its accountability under the CNE without any involvement of Ministry of State Administration. This is to avoid the influence of politicians and government officers from the ministry. The budget can be allocated to STAE through independent body.

* CNE should be able to make a decision for electoral system, electoral process and the decision to design the ballot paper and other electoral tool/facilities, without the consideration of the parliament or politicians.

* Declaration for the date of all elections should be authorized by CNE.

Voter Registration

* In order to ensure the right of the voters, STAE should pay more attention and increase its efforts to assist people in rural and conflict areas and the IDPs to register themselves in the electoral rolls.

* Increased awareness for voter registration and its processes is needed, it was evident that the ongoing efforts had not produced the desired results as some voters did not know how and where to register and some of them even came to the polling stations with UN registration cards which could be used for this election.

Voter Education

* Considering the high number of illiterates in East Timor and the mistaken done at the polling stations on the 9th April, we encourages STAE and NGOs network in all districts provide adequate education programs to people.

* It was found that voters do not understand the pictures that were shown on the posters, stickers etc. Face to face education can be a better strategy for the next elections to reach them in an effective manner for voter education.

Campaign Process

* To create a fair competitive environment for all candidates, it is important to enforce the law and to punish those government officials who take government's facilities, vehicle and staff to support the campaign of some specific candidates or parties.

* Political parties should follow the campaign schedule set by the STAE and should not arbitrarily change the date and the place which could result in confrontation with another party. Changing the campaign schedule and place could lead to violence as it was in the Presidential election.

* For the fairness of all candidates, STAE and CNE must consider setting a ceiling of campaign expenditure, to limit the rich candidate/party, towards over spending, when some of the financially poor candidates do not have the same chance. ANFREL noted the positive provision in Timor-Leste, where the government has already provided 20,000 dollars in cash for each candidate for their campaign and the UNDP gave each about 10,000 dollars in kind for campaign material.

* The candidates should not take "black campaign" strategy to gain their popularity and should not attack other candidates with false rumors. Educating people can be done by emphasizing on their social, political and economic policies, so people can consider choosing the good leader from their right judgment.

* Since political campaign is always risked with conflict and violence, candidates and party agents should not take children for political activities, even though they may voluntarily joined the campaigns or they were hired with low pay.

Intimidation

* ANFREL calls on all stakeholders and those who decline their rights to vote, to respect the rights of voters and vulnerable people.

* The supporters, canvassers, members and party agents should not assist the candidates with unethical means i.e. intimidation, harassment, setting a condition, discrimination, revenge etc. All candidates should perform their potential leadership with passion and ability to unite the country; they should not win the election while creating more conflict and hate.

Polling Process

* Poll officers need more civic education for effective working process. This is in order to implement the electoral work and activities in the same manner at all polling stations.

* The electoral process on the 9th April had been conducted slowly. There is a need to increase the poll officers to six persons in each polling station and increase the ballot boxes for some areas which have large constituency population to cater too, this will decrease the time for voters to wait for their turn to vote and will also facilitate in decreasing the long queue's taking place.

* To prevent multiple votes or double votes, STAE should view the list of voters from the code of voter card that officer note down in the book, before allowing the voter to take the ballot paper. This is to check if there are any code numbers double or multiple in the signed list. Those who use passport to vote can also use old voter or new voter cards to vote.

* Voter's index fingers needs to be examined to also check for any person who is trying to indulge in bogus voting. It was noted that most polling stations did not check the voter's index finger, whether it was already inked. Multiple/double voters should be punished or fined when detected.

Counting Process

* There should have only one pattern for the counting process in all polling stations.

* To save the time of counting, it is not necessary to classify the valid and invalid ballot papers before counting the number.

* Counting can be done directly and singled out invalid ballot paper can be part of the process; there is no need for duplication of efforts resulting in double work.

* Counting should not be done in the dark room, but in a well lit area, where people, media and other interested parties can observe the process taking place in complete transparent manner following all the due process.

* For the security reason, a counting process at counting center still is recommended for all elections.

Media

* During the electoral period, local TV and radio programs should be free from any influence of any specific power.

* The local and foreign media should provide the public with impartial, fair and equal information of all candidates and not focus on some famous candidates only.