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Statement by the South African Observer Mission for the Parliamentary
Elections in Timor Leste held on 30 June 2007 Timor-Leste - In April 2007,
the Government of Timor-Leste held Presidential Elections, and in May 2007 conducted
run-off elections, which were won by the then Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta.
In response to an invitation by the Government of Timor-Leste, the South African
Government sent a four-member Observer Team to the Presidential Elections led
by the South African Ambassador to Indonesia, His Excellency Mr. G.M. Memela,
who is also accredited to Timor-Leste. On 30 June 2007, the Government of
Timor-Leste held its first democratic Parliamentary Elections since its independence.
Once more, the Government of Timor-Leste invited South Africa to participate in
the elections as part of the International Observer Missions. In response to the
invitation, the South African Government sent a sixteen-member Observer Mission
led by Professor Mandla Mchunu, former Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent
Electoral Commission of South Africa. The Observer Mission comprised of Members
of Parliament, representatives with electoral and monitoring experience from Non-Governmental
Organisations and civil society, and senior public officials. The South
African Observer Mission participated in the Parliamentary Elections
mindful
of South Africa's status as a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council
for 2007-2008, and its designation as the lead nation for Timor-Leste. In line
with this UN mandate and South Africa's commitment to global peace and democracy,
the participation of the South African Observer team in the Parliamentary Elections
is an illustration of South Africa's support to the consolidation of peace and
democracy in Timor-Leste. On information received about the pre-election
preparations, the Observer team was satisfied that all the necessary processes
and procedures to conduct successful elections had been undertaken. The Observer
team deployed its members in the districts of Baucau, Dili, Aileu and Liquica
for the elections of 30 June 2007. From reports received from the districts that
the Mission covered, the Observer Mission has concluded that the elections were
conducted in the most peaceful and orderly manner. The polling stations were opened
on time, the polling staff were easily identifiable and worked diligently and
thus avoided long lines and unnecessary waiting for the voters. In almost all
polling stations, party agents were also present. The Observer Mission
wishes to express its appreciation for the support provided by the UN towards
holding successful elections. The UNMIT security forces played a crucial role
in ensuring an incident-free polling day. The security services provided for storage
and the transportation of voting materials, and physical security at polling centres
and stations have been invaluable. The political parties who contested the
elections also need to be thanked for conducting their political campaigns within
the set parameters of electoral legislation, observing the Party Accord and the
Code of Conduct, deploying agents to polling stations, and contributing significantly
to the conducting of a peaceful poll in Timor-Leste. Beyond the 30th of
June, the critical phases of counting the ballots, reconciling, and tallying are
still to occur, wherefrom preliminary results can be drawn. We are informed that
in about eight districts counting has already commenced without a hitch. Regarding
the pre-election and election phases, the South African Observer Mission to Timor-Leste
was very impressed with the preparations for and the manner in which voting proceeded
on voting day. We therefore declare that the conduct of the voting process
was peaceful, free and fair! The South African Observer Mission has no doubt
that, if the remaining critical phases are carried out with the same spirit and
dedication shown by all involved on voting day, the people of Timor-Leste are
soon to have a democratic Parliament of their choice! The South African
Observer Mission is composed of the following persons: Prof. M. Mchunu --
Former Chief Electoral Officer (Leader of the Delegation).
Mr. P. Sibande --
Member of Parliament (African National Congress)
General B. Holomisa -- President
of the United Democratic Movement
Ms. C. Rakale - Communications Consultant
Ms.
M. Tsotsi - South African Women-in-Dialogue (SAWID)
Dr. S. Fikeni - Chief Executive
Officer (Heritage Council)
Rev. G. Moerane - South African Council of Churches
(SACC)
Rev. M. Mphephu - Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Mr. T. Mraji
- Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Mr. V. Cebekhulu - Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC)
Mr. C. Snyman - Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Ms.
D. Balatseng - Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Mr. M. Mambukwe - South
African Embassy in Indonesia (DFA)
Ms. T. Mgxwati - Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA)
Ms. N. Notutela - Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Ms. F. Rakiep
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990
4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 02
July 2007
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