ETAN Observes with Fundasuan Mahein

Emily Evans

As an international observer working with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) I have had the unique opportunity to observe the campaign period and election day with ETAN’s friends at Fundasaun Mahein (FM).  FM is a local NGO working in Timor providing monitoring and analysis of the security sector.  Their focus was on the role that the police (PNTL and UNPOL) and the military had throughout the campaign period and on election day.

This whole experience has reminded me of the important role of civil society groups, like FM, play in keeping the political parties and government to account. They will play a fundamental role in the next five years in Timor-Leste.

Working alongside the Timorese people was an enriching experience that I do not think many other election observer missions provided. Leading up to election day, I was provided with extensive background to the country, its challenges, the political parties running for power and current issues around the security sector. I had the opportunity to attend a variety of events throughout the campaign period, independently and with FM staff. The whole time I was mentally doing a comparison about how the Timorese ran elections compared to the process in Australia, my home country.

Observing the campaign, I noted one major difference between the two countries and the campaign styles.  Political Party Rallies!  This is my  ‘what to bring list’ to a political party campaign rally in Timor-Leste.

-        The party that you support's flag. Now it doesn’t matter what size it is, but the bigger, the better and if you have multiple even better.

-        A truck, a method of transportation needed for you, your family (including children), your neighbour, your neighbour’s family.

-        Spray paint, balloons, streamers, more flags and anything else that can be waved around while on the truck or put on your person.

-        A marching band or very loud stereo system for the truck to blast out party  song.

-        A party song, one that is catchy and will stay in your head even days after the rallies.

-        A large public area where you can hold your rally or party meetings where the leaders of the party can come and speak for a few hours about how good their party is, how bad the other parties are and if they have time some explanation of their policies.

-        Media coverage of your campaign.

Timor-Leste election workers prepare to count the votes. (Tonilia de Fatima dos Santos/La'o Hamutuk)

However, the campaign was not all political party rallies, sometimes policy was spoken about and debated amongst the parties and with civil society groups, including FM.

This whole experience has reminded me of the important role of civil society groups, like FM, play in keeping the political parties and government to account. They will play a fundamental role in the next five years in Timor-Leste, with the support and encouragement from ETAN members, as the country faces further challenges around economic sovereignty, post UN withdrawal and addressing the issues around the security sector. FM’s role for the next government term should continue to be one of analysis, critique and monitoring of all government policy and how it relates to the security sector. Having worked in FM for only a couple of weeks during the election period, I am encouraged to see how a locally run NGO is concerned so deeply about the future of their country and actively engaged in civil society. 

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Fundasaun Mahein and  ETAN International Election Observer Report

Introduction

With the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) we have had the unique opportunity to observe the campaign period and election day with Fundasaun Mahein (FM). FM's focus of the election was the security sector and the role that the police (PNTL and UNPOL) and the military had throughout the campaign period and on election day. we also made further observations around the political process and the role that civil society has in the political process in Timor-Leste.This is a summary of my observations made during this period.

1) Security Sector

The 2012 Parliamentary elections ran smoothly without any major incidents reported. These are my observations about the security sector during the campaign and on Election Day.

Campaign Period

- NPTL and UNPOL were used in the political party convoys to provide assistance, no party affiliation was shown, but they did not play a major role.

- At the FRETILIN political rally, and other rallies attended, there was not a strong police presence and no perceived threat of
interference from other political parties.

- Due to major language barriers we were unsure and could not conclude what each parties position and policies about the role of the security sector would be. However, we did have the opportunity of attending the Press Conference from FM where they presented a report with a collection of political parties responses to these question.

Election Day (7 July 2012)

- Small level of police and security presence visible at the voting stations but not enough to be deterrence for voters to be put off voting.

- Occasional police officer(s) or military sitting or standing within the designated 25m buffer zone of the polling station. This
observation has been noted as well by staff at FM. 

- With the arrival of the Police Commissioner, Komisariu Longuinhos Monteiro, at the Becora polling station this resulted in an entourage of uniformed and armed officers going into one of the polling stations where he placed his vote. It appeared to cause no real disturbance to this process and regular voting resumed shortly after.

- Overall the police and military’s presence was seen but appeared to cause little impact in the successful running of the voting and counting proceedings.

2) Role of the Civil Society

Civil Society within Democratic countries plays an import role with transparency and keeping the government, and other political parties, to account. During election campaigning and the electoral process is when the importance of civil society is realised. These are my observations about the civil society and their involvement with the Timor-Leste’s electoral process.

Campaign Period

- Many civil society groups actively participated in talking, interviewing and questioning each political party about their key
campaign policy platforms. we attended a public debate of one particular party aimed towards fielding questions and concerns from NGO groups. Many representatives asked challenging questions to the members present. Disappointed to learn that other parties did not do this. Where are the forums that people can learn more about what political parties stand for?

- Civil society groups actively participating in the democratic  process through regular meetings with political party delegates about their positions.

- During the regular meeting of the Civil Society Forum, different groups were allowed the opportunity to express their concerns and share their observations about the election process, outline the focus of their observations and hear from other groups. This is an important forum that is needed to be nurtured for the future of civil society in Timor-Leste.

Election Day (Saturday 7 July)

- Large number (2000) of national observers. Good interaction and engagement of the political process from civil society. Observers from STAT, CNE and other local NGOs.

- High level of observers, both national and international resulted in clear and transparent election process.

- National observers were present in the voting stations, voting venues and counting. Taking many notes and talking to others that were present.

Further general observations.

- Even though political parties were not allowed to continue with campaigning and hand out political fliers on election day, the
presence of the Fretilin observers in their distinguishable red shirts close to the polling stations and the presence of a CNRT sticker on a door close to the polling station.

- Election staff assisted people with a disability and at times police officers in and through the election process but where given a green shirt to wear through the whole process. Is it a form of discrimination?

- Women and the elderly were given priority when lining up for voting.

- Electoral staff appeared well trained and capable of carrying out their duties in a professional manner.

- The process of using the ink to identify who has voted, as explained to me it not in the regulations, is an infringement on the right to remain anonymous in the voting process. In Timor-Leste, it is a choice of the individual to vote or not but insisting people, after voting, put their finger into the ink can potentially create discrimination against people who have not voted or for those who have.

Conclusion

The role of Civil society groups, like FM, are crucial in keeping the political parties and government to account and will play a
fundamental role in the next five years in Timor-Leste as it faces further challenges around economic sovereignty, post UN withdrawal and addressing the issues around the security sector. FM’s role for the next government term should continue to be one of analysis, critique and monitoring of all government policy and how it relates to the security sector. In December, Australian/New Zealand Forces and UNPOL leave Timor and it will be the role of PNTL and the military to maintain peace and security in Timor and the role of FM to monitor their movements and government policies. Having worked in FM for only
a couple of weeks during the election period, we encouraged to see a locally run NGO concerned so deeply about the future of their country and actively engaged in civil society.

Appendix 1

Events attended during the Campaign Period

- PUN Public Debate (Tuesday 26 June)
- UNMIT Civil Society meeting (Tuesday 26 June)
- PDN rally (Monday 2 July)
- Fretilin rally (Tuesday 3 July)
- CNRT rally (Sunday 1 July)
- Public debate (Wednesday 4 July)
- Lao Hamutuk Timor-Leste briefing. (Wednesday 27 June)
- ETAN Briefing for International Observers. (Saturday 30 June)
- STAT International Observer Briefing (Wednesday 4 July)

Polling Stations I observed on Election Day (Saturday 7 July)

- Bemori. Escola Doque di Caixas (7am ­ 9am)
- Becora. Escola Sagrado Coracao de Jesus (9am ­ 11am and 2pm ­ 10pm)
- Bairo Dos Grilhos. Escola Xina (11am ­ 1pm)

see also

ETAN Volunteers Observe Timor-Leste Parliamentary Election 2012 (observations and reflections)

Letters of Support: H.E. President Dr. José Ramos-Horta; H.E. Ambassador Constâncio Pinto