VZCZCXRO1497
RR RUEHCHI RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHDT #0283 2890523
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160523Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4576
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1337
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 4125

UNCLAS DILI 000283 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE: LOCAL ELECTIONS FREE, FAIR, AND ALMOST WITHOUT 
INCIDENT 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Despite the recent history of violence and 
instability associated with Timorese elections, the October 9 
elections for Suco Chiefs and Councils in 442 localities 
throughout the country were conducted in an orderly fashion with 
only a few minor, isolated incidents reported.  International 
and domestic observers judged the elections to be largely free 
and fair.  With the burden of managing the elections having 
shifted away from the international community in favor of 
Timorese authorities, the successful conduct of these elections 
is an encouraging indication of the country's political 
development.  The Sucos lack real political power, but they are 
still expected to play a significant role in forming a 
grassroots network for the political parties as they prepare for 
upcoming elections.  Because the new Suco election laws 
prohibited candidates from declaring any party affiliation, it 
is difficult to judge the results, but early indications suggest 
no major shift in the popularity of the national parties. End 
Summary. 
 
 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Timorese went to the election polls on October 9 to 
choose their local leaders and councils in the countries 442 
localities.  Despite the fact that Suco Chiefs and Suco Councils 
lack real political authority in Timor-Leste, popular enthusiasm 
for the democratic process remains high and voter turnout was 
reported at 68 percent of eligible voters by election officials 
(Note: A number of candidates ran unopposed, possibly leading to 
a reduction in the overall turnout figures).  Only a few minor 
incidents and irregularities were reported.  In one locality in 
the Viqueque district, for example, the ballots were incorrectly 
prepared and the election was postponed until October 15. 
Police were forced to restore order when voters carrying expired 
voter cards objected to being turned away at another polling 
station.  A National Election Commission representative was 
called in to another polling station to calm tempers that flared 
as a result of a close, contentious vote. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The international community, and specifically the 
United Nations, has shouldered much of the burden of organizing 
and conducting elections in Timor-Leste since 1999.  The Special 
Representative of the Secretary General Atul Khare told the 
Ambassador, however, that the Timorese authorities had assumed 
about 60 percent of that responsibility themselves in these 
elections.  Similarly, another UN official remarked that while 
previous elections had required the use of over 40 UN 
helicopters to transport ballots and officials, the Timorese 
requested the use of only 8 helicopters for these elections. 
Given the complexity of organizing 442 separate ballots and 
elections in even the most remote and inaccessible corners of 
the country, the successful conduct of these most recent 
elections is an encouraging indication of the development of 
Timor-Leste's democratic institutions. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) The National Election Commission is currently 
tabulating the voting and is expected to send its provisional 
results to the Council of Appeals for approval by the end of 
this week.  The fact that the Suco Chiefs and Councils lack real 
political authority minimizes the potential impact that these 
elections results will have on the country's political 
situation.  Nevertheless, the Sucos will likely play a 
significant role in forming a grassroots network for the 
political parties that hope to contest next year's municipal 
elections, as well as the 2012 parliamentary and presidential 
elections.  The ban on political party affiliation for Suco 
election candidates makes it difficult to judge the results, but 
early indications suggest no major shift in the popularity of 
the national parties. 
 
KLEMM