On the Parliamentary Elections in Timor-Leste

On Saturday you will vote for your new parliament with the election of 65 members who will take their place to oversee the governance and development of Timor-Leste, as your representatives, for the next five years.

Timorese people have demonstrated their strong commitment to the democratic process in the last two presidential votes.

Saturday's election is not a game of winners and losers. It is for you to decide who will play the role of the Government and who will be the opposition. In a democratic system, both have different but equally important roles to play.

The challenge for those elected will be to form a government that ensures a constructive and meaningful role for the opposition as well as the proper participation of civil society in the process of governance.

The new parliament, its majority bench and its opposition, combined with a robust and dynamic civil society will create the conditions for Timor-Leste to overcome the challenges of strengthening the rule of law, reforming the security sector, promoting transparent, accountable and responsive governance and advancing development that ensures social progress and better standard of life in larger freedom.

I wish you all the best for Saturday's vote and can assure you all that UNMIT will assist the government you choose in the coming months and years.