Dili, October 12th (UNMIT) - The UN's Acting Special Representative, Finn Reske-Nielsen, this week urged Timor Leste's parliament to speed approval and promulgation of vital electoral legislation.

In an address to the 88-member assembly on Wednesday Reske-Nielsen said both timing and process of approval were critical if elections scheduled for 2007 are to proceed on time and be free of disputes.

"A large consensus around the approval of the electoral laws will pave the way for a peaceful preparation of the 2007 parliamentary and presidential elections," he said. "We consider that only early approval and promulgation – not later than December – will ensure that the electoral campaign can start on time."

Supporting next year's elections is part of mandate of the new UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste. Although the mission will not run the elections – that will be the job of the Timorese government – the UN will provide technical help and policy advice aimed at ensuring complete integrity.

More than 400 UN staff will be fielded across the country to help. A certification team, comprising leading international electoral experts, will assess each stage of the elections. Already, on October 9th, an agreement has been signed between the Prime Minister and UN Development Programme to provide technical and logistical assistance. The aim is to ensure that Timor Leste's elections fully meet international standards for fairness and credibility.

"The key focus of UNMIT is to assist this country in returning to stability and promoting justice and peace," Reske-Nielsen said. "The core of the challenges around us is that this country has to resolve its problems by peaceful means," he added.

To hold elections next year Timor Leste will need to grapple with several issues. Among these is the model of electoral organization to be chosen. New electoral bodies take time to establish and, Reske-Nielsen said, it may in the short run be necessary to opt for simplified approaches. The aim, he added, should be to minimize disenfranchisement, particularly of women, and to ensure popular confidence.

For additional information, please contact Adrian Edwards, Acting Chief, Public Information Office, UNMIT, +670 723 0453, or Donna Cusumano, Spokesperson, +670 723 0749.