Page 76 - voice-international-oct2022

Updates

A polling center in Comoro, Dili, was still busy about two hours before the polls closed. (Photo credit: Michael Maley)
As anticipated, the polls took place during the to its regional neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand—
Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the case numbers so that they can see the vote that has been marked
in Timor-Leste had dwindled thus allowing for on it. This, however, also makes the counting
greater confidence among voters and officials exceptionally transparent; and indeed, transparency
alike that the elections are being conducted safely. is one of the defining features of all polling day
However, health safety measures, such as mask- operations.
wearing and hand-sanitizing, have been put in place When the counting is concluded, the results
by the authorities and have been taken seriously by from each Polling Centre are tabulated, first at
many voters. the municipal and then at the national levels. This
The polling process takes several days, as
is straightforward. the documents and
Registered voters Jose Ramos-Horta has been sworn in as president materials from Polling
are issued with a of Timor-Leste. He defeated Francisco “Lu Olo” Centres are physically
photographic card at Guterres, his fellow independence fighter, in the transferred to the
the point of registration, election municipal tabulation
which they produce centers.
at the polling centre The polling and
to establish their right to vote. Their names are counting processes were implemented by some
highlighted on the voter list, and they are issued 16,000 staff nationwide, 50 percent of whom
with a ballot paper which they mark in secret, were required to be women, and many of whom
typically by using a nail to punch a hole adjacent were notably young, but displaying an inspiring
to the candidate of their choice. After the ballot commitment to their country’s democratic future.
has been placed in a sealed ballot box, one of the STAE, CNE the UN Development Programme
voter’s fingers is marked with indelible ink to prevent and International IDEA with the financial support
multiple voting. The whole process takes only a few of Japan worked on the development and
minutes. implementation of training for polling staff, and the
Votes are counted at each Polling Centre provision of advice on measures for mitigating the
immediately after the close of the poll at 15:00. The risk of Covid-19 infection at election time.
process is comparatively slow, since it involves every
ballot paper being displayed to all present—similar Michael Maley
Dili, Timor Leste
Credit: International IDEA
Link for the original article: https://www.idea.int/news-media/news/timor-leste-votes-confidently-amidst-pandemic

76 | VoICE International | October 2022