Nelson Da Cruz

DILI (Reuters – East Timor’s fifth election for president was held on Saturday. The youngest country in Asia had its five presidential elections since independence. Political stability and economic security were top priorities.

These 16 potential presidential candidates include Francisco “Lu Olo”, a former resistance fighter; Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel laureate for independence and an ex-catholic priest.

The nation’s independence still holds the majority of the candidates. However, the first-time there have been four female candidates including Armanda Berta, Dos Santos, the Deputy Prime Minster.

Jorge Mendonca Soares 42 said, “We need to choose a different generation so we can build the country,” after waiting patiently at the Dili capital polling booth on Saturday morning.

According to a recent survey by the university, Ramos-Horta (72), former commander of defence forces Lere Anan Timur and incumbent Guterres, were the most popular candidates.

Due to residency requirements, some voters could not vote at the polls in capital city.

“Many cannot vote because they are not registered in the data as residents from outside the city of Dili,” João Ximenes, head of a voting station in Comoro, told Reuters. Two people were arrested following a demonstration at the polling station.

Officials stated that it wasn’t immediately known how many people had been affected by this rule.

The early indications about the top contenders for the election will be revealed late Saturday. No candidate will win an absolute majority of the votes. The vote will then go to a runoff on April 19, between the two most popular candidates.

East Timor, which is now nearing twenty years after independence from Indonesian occupation has long struggled to maintain its political stability.

After the 2018 election, Guterres declined to swear in ministers of the National Congress of the Reconstruction of East Timor(CNRT), a political group led by former Prime Minster Xanana Gsmao.

This political impasse continues to this very day.

Ramos Horta (backed by Xanana’s CNRT) said this week that he is running as he believes the current president “exceeded all his powers.”

Guterres said to reporters following Saturday’s voting: “Whoever runs must have the ability to win, and also be able to lose.” “But I’m confident I will win.”

The president of East Timor appoints the government. He also has the power and authority to veto ministers.

The election was marked by concern about economic diversification, given the nation’s high dependence on crude oil supplies.

A key role was played by young voters, where 20% of eligible voters reached the age of 17 within the last five years. They also cast their first votes.

Marco de Jesus (17), a first-time voter, said that he was nervous and relaxed with the help of polling personnel.

He said, “I am proud that I have fulfilled my duty as a voter,” from the shore of Dili’s waterfront polling station.

“I hope that my decision can make a positive, useful difference.”