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Officers gather poll packing containers in Dili on March 18, 2022, on the eve of the nation’s presidential elections.
Valentino Dariel Sousa | AFP | Getty Photos
Polls opened in East Timor on Saturday, as Asia’s youngest nation held its fifth presidential elections since independence, with considerations over political stability and financial safety on the forefront.
The 16 presidential hopefuls embrace former resistance fighter and incumbent President Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres in addition to independence determine and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta and a former Catholic priest.
At polling cubicles within the capital Dili, Timorese donned masks and queued patiently as they waited to vote.
“We should select a brand new era in order that we are able to construct this nation,” mentioned one voter, Jorge Mendonca Soares, 42, of his want for change.
Whereas the nation’s independence figures nonetheless dominate the sector, for the primary time there are additionally 4 feminine candidates, together with deputy prime minister Armanda Berta Dos Santos.
A current ballot by the nationwide college confirmed that Ramos-Horta, 72, former protection forces commander Lere Anan Timur and Guterres are the favorites.
Polls shut at 3 p.m. with early indicators of who’s main the vote anticipated to come back late Saturday.
If no candidate wins an outright majority, the vote will proceed to a run-off on April 19 between the highest two contenders.
Approaching 20 years since independence after the tip of a brutal occupation by Indonesia, East Timor has for lengthy spells struggled with political instability.
After the final elections in 2018, Guterres refused to swear in some ministers from the Nationwide Congress of the Reconstruction of East Timor (CNRT), a political get together led by former prime minister Xanana Gusmao.
The transfer led to an ongoing political stalemate.
Ramos-Horta, who’s backed by Xanana’s CNRT get together, mentioned earlier this week he was working as a result of he felt the present president had “exceeded his powers.”
In East Timor’s political system, the president appoints a authorities and has the ability to veto ministers or dissolve parliament.
Throughout a current election debate, Guterres pledged to make sure peace and stability, defend East Timor’s sovereignty and observe peace and stability, defend East Timor’s sovereignty and observe the structure if he gained a brand new time period.
Closely depending on dwindling provides of oil and gasoline, financial diversification and the position of younger voters have additionally been key election points, with an estimated 20% of voters reaching the voting age of 17 and casting their poll for the primary time.
First-time voter Marco de Jesus, 17, mentioned he felt nervous however relaxed after assist from polling workers.
“I really feel proud to have carried out my perform as a voter,” he mentioned, talking outdoors a polling station on Dili’s waterfront.
“I hope my selection can deliver optimistic and helpful change.”
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