DILI (Reuters – Jose Ramos, a Nobel laureate and a leader of independence, along with Francisco Guterres, the incumbent president, emerged early as frontrunners for East Timor’s presidential elections, according to official data.

Ramos-Horta led with 44.5%, after more than 33% had been counted.

According to official count by the electoral administration, Guterres (former resistance fighter) was the next closest with 24.1%.

Asia’s youngest nation hosted its fifth presidential election after independence. 16 of them were elected, led by former fighters and the generation that led the country to independence.

East Timor, which is nearing twenty years of independence following a devastating occupation by Indonesia, has been struggling with political instability.

Ramos Horta (72), said that he was forced to run because the president “exceeded” his power by refusing seven of the ministers sworn in following 2018’s parliamentary elections.

This move caused a political crisis in the country with 1.3 million people.

Guterres was positive about his chances after casting his ballot on Saturday in Dili.

He said that “whoever runs must be prepared to win, and be willing to lose,” but he wanted to emphasize his victory.

No candidate can win the majority vote. The second round will be held on April 19, between the top and bottom two candidates.