Dili (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Vote counting is still under way in East Timor where the second round of the presidential election took place yesterday without any incidents. Despite initial uncertainty owning to indications of violence, voter turnout was high – around 80% - with both candidates confident of victory. Right now, according to the first projections, the premier and Nobel laureate, Jose Ramos Horta is ahead of his adversary Francisco "Lo-Olo" Guterres, Speaker of Parliament and former Independence fighter with Fretilin, the majority party.
“Ramos-Horta is in first place," national election commission spokeswoman Maria Angelina Sarmento said today. The country’s leading newspaper, Suara Timor Lorosae, came to the same conclusion, giving the outgoing premier a clear lead with 102,481 votes to 34,163 for "Lo-Olo". The estimate is based on the daily’s own count of polling stations in 11 of 13 districts. Preliminary official results are not expected until tomorrow.
The winner of the ballot will step into the shoes of the popular head of state, Xanana Gusmao, who is running for prime minister in general elections slated for June. Ramos Horta is held to be closer to western powers and in favour of a globalised economy. Guterres and the powerful Fretilin party take a more right-wing and nationalist stand. Both candidates say they want to encourage direct foreign investment. The small island is rich in energy resources like natural gas but is plagued by many social problems. Around half its workforce is unemployed and 60% of children under the age of five are malnourished, while 30,000 people are still internally displaced after violence broke out in spring last year.
A multinational peacekeeping force made up of 1200 men and led by Australia, as well as a UN contingent of similar size, currently guarantee order on the island.