East Timor votes for parliament amid huge challenges
About 760,000 people are expected to cast their votes
East Timor headed to the polls to elect a new parliament yesterday as Asia’s youngest democracy battles economic challenges 15 years after gaining its independence from Indonesia.
About 760,000 people are expected to cast their votes for candidates from 21 parties in the tiny half-island nation, in the first parliamentary election since the departure of United Nations peacekeepers in 2012.
The polls come at a challenging time for the country, with key oil reserves running dry while the government struggles to resolve a long-running row with Australia over lucrative energy fields.
But despite fears of violence, there were no reports of unrest in the run-up to the election.
“I am happy I can vote today because it’s important we choose the best to lead our country,” said voter Mateus Araujo.
The parliamentary election will determine the choice of prime minister for the former Portuguese colony.
The prime minister, chosen by the winning party or a coalition of parties in parliament, oversees the government and is the most influential political figure in the country. East Timor voted for a new president in March with Francisco Guterres — known by his nom de guerre “Lu-Olo” — winning the presidency, a role which is largely ceremonial but can help keep the peace between feuding politicians. He is leader of the second-biggest party Fretilin and also won the backing of independence hero Xanana Gusmao and his CNRT party, the country’s largest.
Both parties are expected to fare well in the parliamentary election. East Timor faces huge problems with half of its population living in poverty and the current government struggling to improve the livelihoods of its 1.2 million people.