2012 East Timorese parliamentary election

none October 2015 October 2015 Timor-Leste 2007 2017 All 65 seats in the National Parliament 33 7 July 2012 74.78% ( 5.76pp) Xanana Gusmão National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction 18 30 36.66 Mari Alkatiri Fretilin 21 25 29.87 Fernando de Araújo Democratic Party (Timor-Leste) 8 8 10.31 José Luís Guterres Frenti-Mudança New 2 3.11 File:2012 East Timorese parliamentary election - Results by municipality.svg Most voted-for party by district Prime Minister Prime Minister-designate Xanana Gusmão National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction Xanana Gusmão National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction thumbnail|Voter Information on Registration and update of the electoral database Parliamentary elections were held in Timor-Leste on 7 July 2012.Election Profile IFES The United Nations stated that it would withdraw its 1,300 troops if the elections passed off peacefully.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18733640 BBC News - East Timor holds key parliamentary elections BBC News 6 July 2012 9 July 2012http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/301374/voting-begins-in-east-timor-elections Peaceful vote in E. Timor | Bangkok Post: news Bangkok Post 9 July 2012 The National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, won the election with 30 seats, three seats short of a majority in National Parliament.http://parlamentares.sapo.tl/2012/noticias/lusa/artigo/14625580.html Frente Mudança que conseguiu eleger dois deputados está "perplexa" com resultados eleitorais - Notícia Lusa - Especial Eleições Parlamentares 2012 Parlamentares.sapo.tl 9 July 2012 9 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130209193921/http://parlamentares.sapo.tl/2012/noticias/lusa/artigo/14625580.html dead Background IV Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste 2012 East Timorese presidential election After the severe unrest of 2006, the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) had restored peace and order in the country. An assassination attempt on February 11, 2008, against President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão resulted in the death of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado. The rebel movement subsequently collapsed. Those of its members who had been convicted of involvement in the assassination were pardoned by President Ramos-Horta in 2010. In March 2011, the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) resumed full responsibility for security in the country. ISF and UNMIT plan to leave in 2012 after presidential and parliamentary elections have been held.UN on Track to End East Timor Peacekeeping Mission in 2012 https://www.voanews.com/a/un-on-track-to-end-east-timor-peacekeeping-mission-in-2012-122932588/140177.html 2022-12-18 VOA 31 May 2011 en The country had largely stabilized, but there were sporadic clashes between various Gangs in Timor-Leste de Bandenwesen in Osttimor martial arts groups and youth gangs, during which houses were also burned down, most recently in Comoro and in 2011 in Zumalai and Luro. In addition, the veterans' organization CPD-RDTL caused unrest through ongoing protests. The local elections on October 9, 2009, passed off without major incidents. Fretilin, the country's largest party, was in opposition to the five-party government coalition Aliança da Maioria Parlamentar (AMP), which included the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), Democratic Party (PD), Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT), Social Democratic Party (PSD) and UNDERTIM. Because Fretilin, the largest parliamentary group, did not participate in the government, it accused the government of unconstitutionality throughout the legislative period. In addition, several members of the government were suspected of corruption, but this could not be confirmed in any case. On June 8, however, Justice Minister Lúcia Lobato (PSD) was sentenced to five years in prison for mismanagement of funds.Radio Australia: Former East Timor justice minister receives jail sentence http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-06-08/former-east-timor-justice-minister-receives-jail-sentence/957944 https://web.archive.org/web/20120610200838/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-06-08/former-east-timor-justice-minister-receives-jail-sentence/957944 10 June 2012 2022-12-18 Radio Australia en-AU Several parties had to cope with splits and internal factional struggles. The reform wing of Fretilin, led by Deputy Prime Minister José Luís Guterres, split off as Frenti-Mudança. There were internal power struggles in KOTA, UNDERTIM was internally divided, and a deputy from the National Unity Party (PUN) resigned and now sat in Parliament as an independent deputy. The ASDT deputies fell out with their base. While the party signed a declaration of alliance with Fretilin, ASDT parliamentarians threatened that they would continue to work with Prime Minister Gusmão if the party left the governing coalition. The previous ASDT president Francisco Xavier do Amaral had health problems and saw his office threatened by Tourism Minister Gil da Costa Alves, who was elected executive president in August 2011. However, his election was reversed by Timor-Leste's Supreme Court. On March 5, 2012, Amaral succumbed to cancer in Dili.2015-02-08 Leste Francisco Xavier do Amaral, o homem que declarou a independência do país (PERFIL) - Expresso.pt http://expresso.sapo.pt/leste-francisco-xavier-do-amaral-o-homem-que-declarou-a-independencia-do-pais-perfil=f709433 2022-12-18 8 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150208034907/http://expresso.sapo.pt/leste-francisco-xavier-do-amaral-o-homem-que-declarou-a-independencia-do-pais-perfil=f709433 bot: unknown The dispute continued to simmer between the faction around Alves, who is close to the coalition partner CNRT, and the former Amaral supporters around João Correia, whose faction supported José Ramos-Horta in the March 17, 2012 presidential election and wants to make him honorary chairman of the ASDT.Michael Leach: Timor-Leste: the parliamentary campaign begins, Inside Story, 8 June 2012, retrieved on 18 December 2022. thumbnail|Ramos-Horta at an ASDT campaign event There was a dispute in the PD over the formation of the government. MPs from the western part of the country (Loro Munu) felt that regional proportional representation was not guaranteed and that PD politicians from the east (Loro Sae) were favoured in the formation of the cabinet. The dispute was settled with the appointment of Adriano do Nascimento as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In exchange, the western-born PD MP Lucas da Costa stood in the 2012 presidential elections, in which his eastern-born party leader Fernando de Araújo also contested. Araújo eventually came fourth with 17.30%, while Costa received only 0.83% of the vote. Both were thus eliminated in the first round of the presidential elections, as was the incumbent President Ramos-Horta with 17.48%.CNE: Rezultadu definitivo primeira eleisaun presidencial, 26 March 20122019-05-06 04:56:39 InternetArchiveBot May 2019 http://www.cne.tl/includes/publications/Rezultadu%20definitivo%20primeira%20volta%20eleizaun%20presidencial.pdf After the presidential election, Ramos-Horta, who, unlike the previous time, had not received the support of the CNRT in the elections, announced that he would work with the PD in the parliamentary elections. Later, he also pledged his support to the ASDT. If the votes of La Sama and Ramos-Horta in the presidential elections were added together, one could expect a 35% share of the vote in the general elections for the PD, which would make it the strongest force in the new parliament, ahead of Fretilin and CNRT. However, this was not certain, as La Sama had also received more votes in the last elections than his party would later. It was also unclear whether the PD would again form a coalition with the CNRT or, in contrast to its previous negative stance, with Fretilin.http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/editorial/editorial-corner/1117 Damien Kingsbury: Assessing the numbers in Timor-Leste's elections, The Dili insider, 30 March 2012 20 December 2022 8 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160108012213/http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/editorial/editorial-corner/1117 bot: unknown In the case of a coalition government with PD participation, there was speculation about a Prime Minister position for Ramos-Horta. However, Ramos-Horta ruled out taking up any political office at the end of the election campaign. His political career was over, he declared.Independente: Horta: my political career in TL is finished, 4 July 2012. According to the Constitution of Timor-Leste, even if coalition negotiations failed, a minority government under the strongest party would be possible if the president entrusted it with forming a government. But experts warn that in this case critics of the parliamentary system could intervene in the military.[Damien Kingsbury: Is East Timor's democratic consolidation a crocodile smile?, The Age, 6 July 2012], Retrieved on 20 December 2022 Xanana Gusmão and leading members of the PSD have been at loggerheads in recent years, with party leader Zacarias da Costa even threatening to resign as foreign minister by text message in 2010. Gusmão, for his part, insulted the Foreign Minister at a televised meeting of the Council of Ministers, exposing him.http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/timor-leste/b134-timor-lestes-elections-leaving-behind-a-violent-past.pdf International Crisis Group: Timor-Leste's Elections: Leaving Behind a Violent Past?, Update Briefing, Asia Briefing N°134, Dili/Jakarta/Brussels, 21 February 2012 20 December 2022 3 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303121747/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/timor-leste/b134-timor-lestes-elections-leaving-behind-a-violent-past.pdf bot: unknown (PDF; 1,4 MB) Analysts could therefore also imagine an alliance between the PSD and Fretilin after the election. Frenti-Mudança was expected to form a coalition with the CNRT if necessary. Another potential coalition partner of the CNRT could be the new National Development Party (PDN), whose party leader Fernando Dias Gusmão comes from the PSD. The former PSD secretary-general had lost the 2008 election to party leader Zacarias da Costa and subsequently founded the PDN. Electoral system thumbnail|right|EU Election Observation Mission to Timor-Leste 2012 Each of the 645,624 eligible voters has one vote, which they can give to a party list. People are eligible to vote from the age of 17. Several parties can also run as a coalition with a joint list. A three-percent hurdle applies, which would mean about 18,000 votes in a 100% turnout. The election is held with closed lists. According to the share of the total votes, parties and coalitions receive seats in parliament, which are filled according to the order on the electoral list. Only registered parties and electoral alliances may draw up lists of candidates, but persons on the list need not belong to the party, which meant that independent candidates could also enter parliament. A total of 90 people must be on a party list, and the final 25 candidates are replacements for any retiring deputies.IFES Election Guide Elections: Timor-Leste Parl 2012 https://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2113 2022-12-18 www.electionguide.orghttp://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2002_2005/leis_parlamento_nacional/6_2006.pdf Election law 06/2006 18 December 2022 4 March 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100304154629/http://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2002_2005/leis_parlamento_nacional/6_2006.pdf dead (PDF; 812 kB) and http://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2007/serie_1/serie1_no13.pdf Changes in 06/2007 18 December 2022 4 March 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100304155014/http://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2007/serie_1/serie1_no13.pdf dead (Portuguese; PDF; 173 kB), Retrieved on 18 December 2022. Registered parties receive state financial support from the National Electoral Commission (CNE) based on the proportion of seats won by the party in the national parliament. In 2011, for the first time, the total amount of funding for all parties in parliament was three million U.S. dollars, up from one million U.S. dollars annually. Parties that are not represented in parliament but are registered for the 2012 parliamentary elections will receive $30,000 from the CNE, and party coalitions will receive $45,000.http://www.alp.org.au:6020/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=db25b77b-6314-4351-b5c7-05c1a9500145 Dennis Shoesmith: Political Parties and Groupings of Timor-Leste, Australian Labor International, October 2011, Chapter 3 18 December 2022 7 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120507150147/http://www.alp.org.au:6020/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=db25b77b-6314-4351-b5c7-05c1a9500145 bot: unknown (english) All 65 members of the National Parliament were elected from a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation voting. A party had to cross the electoral threshold of 3% to enter parliament and seats were distributed according to the d'Hondt method. Parties were required to submit lists with 65 candidates and at least 25 replacements. According to the electoral law, every fourth member on a party's list has to be a woman. The ballots were printed in Kupang, Indonesia, in West Timor and brought to Timor-Leste by land. The reception at the border was greatly celebrated.STAE on Facebook: Entrega Boletins de Voto na fronteira com Indonesia, 26 June 2012, retrieved at 18 December 2022. Voting took place in 880 polling stations and 640 polling centers. The polling stations were open between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The European Union sent 70 election observers and analysts to Timor-Leste.[EU Election Observation: EU Election Observation Mission to Timor-Leste 2012], retrieved 4 July 2012. Five parliamentarians are coming from New Zealand as observers.https://archive.today/20130223044608/http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-MPs-to-observe-East-Timors-elections/tabid/417/articleID/260115/Default.aspx 3news: NZ MPs to observe East Timor's elections, 4 July 2012, retrieved 4 July 2012. These include representatives from other countries and many non-governmental organizations. A total of 586 foreign and 2,618 national election observers were registered.Statistic of the STAE http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/599321_474845245878849_1350111304_n.jpg 2016-02-04June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes In addition, there were 106 foreign and 112 local journalists.Statistik der STAE http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389098_474845315878842_1855733792_n.jpg 2016-02-04June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Parties and candidates List of political parties in Timor-Leste thumbnail|A 2012 Voter information poster On 12 May, the CNE drew lots for the order of parties and candidate lists on the ballot paper. The nationalist, pro-Indonesian Timorese Nationalist Party (PNT) and the traditional monarchist People's Party of Timor (PPT) did not submit their lists of candidates to the authorities by the deadline on 11 May and were therefore not admitted to the election.2014-10-25 CNE apresenta lista de partidos para as legislativas - Notícias SAPO - SAPO Notícias http://noticias.sapo.tl/portugues/info/artigo/1242834.html 2022-12-20 25 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141025015816/http://noticias.sapo.tl/portugues/info/artigo/1242834.html dead Even the major parties Fretilin, CNRT and PD and five other parties submitted their list only on the last day.Radio e Televizaun de Timor-Leste: CNE will not receive candidate list from political parties, 14. Mei 2012. The PSD placed Lúcia Lobato second on its list before her conviction, which brought the party public criticism from its former leader Mário Viegas Carrascalão. The latter did not stand for re-election due to his state of health. The internal division of the ASDT led to the party even submitting two electoral lists to the CNE. One by Tourism Minister Alves and one by João Correia. The Timor-Leste Supreme Court of Justice, Timor-Leste's Court of Appeal, ruled that only Correira's list met the required regularity of clearance by a party congress. As a result, none of the previous ASDT MP's and government members are on the list.ASDT electoral list (in Tetum), Retrieved at 20 December 2012. The dispute was more complicated in the UNDERTIM, from which two electoral lists were also submitted by different party wings.Radio Timor-Leste: Court legalizes UNDERTIM's candidates list, 28 May 2012. The CNE again set an ultimatum, but the groups around party leader Cornelio Gama and General Secretary Reis Kadalak could not agree on a common list, which led to the exclusion of UNDERTIM from the elections on 1 June.2014-03-05 Centru Jornalista Investigativo Timor Leste. UNDERTIM La Partisipa Elpar 2012, 4 June 2012 http://cjitlnoticias.sapo.tl/nasional/undertim-la-partisipa-elpar-20-205305 https://web.archive.org/web/20140305160741/http://cjitlnoticias.sapo.tl/nasional/undertim-la-partisipa-elpar-20-205305 5 March 2014 2022-12-20 However, this was again withdrawn by the Court of Appeal on 4 June after the two UNDERTIM wings were able to agree on a common list.6 July 2012 CJITL: CNE Hein akordaun foun TR konaba lista UNDERTIM https://www.sapo.pt/nasional/cne-hein-akordaun-foun-tr-kona-206075 August 2026 InternetArchiveBot STL online: UNDERTIM Rezolve Ona Problema Internal, 5 June 2012 http://www.suara-timor-lorosae.com/berita-13041-undertim-rezolve-ona-problema-internal.html 2012-06-05 https://archive.today/20130203042118/http://www.suara-timor-lorosae.com/berita-13041-undertim-rezolve-ona-problema-internal.html 2013-02-03 A prominent UNDERTIM candidate is Angelita Pires, former presidential candidate and lover of the dead rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.2012-07-06 East Timor faces pivotal election - Irish Examiner Simon Roughneen https://www.simonroughneen.com/asia/seasia/east-timor/east-timor-faces-pivotal-election-irish-examiner/ 2022-12-20 www.simonroughneen.com en-GB In the last election in 2007, seven parties failed to clear the three-percent hurdle. Six of them joined forces after the election to form the Progressive Democratic League (LDP) for better visibility. The result of this cooperation, however, was hardly registerable. This time, too, it was expected that the numerous newly formed parties would mostly not win a seat in parliament. The best chances were still given to Frenti-Mudança, PDN and the Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO). KHUNTO had close ties to a martial arts group and its stronghold in Ainaro. Despite the lack of polls, analysts assumed that either Fretilin or CNRT would lead a coalition government after the election, even though both parties had set themselves the goal of an absolute majority. The PD or PSD were expected to provide the majority, but they had lost considerable strength since the last elections. Campaign In total, 21 political parties registered for the election. The campaign was focused on economic issues, particularly the country's $10.5 billion oil fund. Alongside the two main parties, CNRT and Fretilin, a further 19 parties and lists registered for the elections.http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/pt_pt/noticias/internacional/2012/4/20/Legislativas-Julho-com-partidos-coligacoes,d4374668-b010-4565-b071-4479dabf58d7.html https://web.archive.org/web/20230418075042/http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/pt_pt/noticias/internacional/2012/4/20/Legislativas-Julho-com-partidos-coligacoes,d4374668-b010-4565-b071-4479dabf58d7.html dead 18 April 2023 Angola Press - Internacional - Legislativas de 07 de Julho com 21 partidos e coligações Portalangop.co.ao 14 May 2012 9 July 2012 The election campaign was focused on economic issues, particularly the question of what should be done with the country's oil fund, worth $10.5 billion. Other focuses in the election campaign were the fight against corruption, the development of infrastructure and ensuring peace and stability in the country.Leach Michael 6 July 2012 Timor-Leste's political elites will have to play the long game http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/timorlestes-political-elites-will-have-to-play-the-long-game-20120705-21k0k.html#ixzz1zqIM2fQZ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160105082905/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/timorlestes-political-elites-will-have-to-play-the-long-game-20120705-21k0k.html#ixzz1zqIM2fQZ 5 January 2016 2022-12-21 Canberra Times en Alt URL The CNRT campaign pledged to increase the amount of money the fund contributed to the state budget beyond the existing 3% limit and to attract foreign loans for infrastructure improvement projects,Polls close in East Timor elections Al Jazeera, 7 July 2012. promising long-term investment in roads and electricity and water supplies. Fretilin opposed CNRT's policies on foreign loans and changes to the oil fund spending, but ran a campaign focused on raising levels of income and education. FRETILIN general secretary Mari Alkatiri promised to reduce corruption if elected. In the election campaign, Fretilin promised at least 150 hours of paid work on government projects for every unemployed Timorese annually (unemployment is between 50 and 60%)Hofman Helene 6 July 2012 East Timor is changing, but not fast enough https://theworld.org/stories/2012-07-06/east-timor-changing-not-fast-enough 2022-12-21 The World from PRX (GlobalPost) en and financial support for women in training. The PD, given its mainly young constituency, promised scholarships for students, while the CNRT relied on its charismatic leader Gusmão and his merits in the freedom struggle and in his last years as prime minister. Besides, they pointed to the government's existing development plans. Frenti-Mudança did not organise large events. Instead, they paid 100 to 200 US dollars to small groups who would then advertise the party in their hometowns. In this way, the relatively small party was able to reach even remote regions of the country. Conduct thumbnail|STAE election call In June 2011, CNRT supporters burned Fretilin flags. The party leaders therefore met immediately and the CNRT party leadership condemned the provocations. In general, the leaders of both parties are trying not to escalate the mood in the country. For example, Fretilin leader Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres visited the CNRT party congress and demonstratively embraced Xanana Gusmão. They wished each other all the best. The following 12 May, UNDERTIM politician Reis Kadalak threatened to burn down the CNE's office after a CNE training session. He accused the CNE of manipulating the budget allocated to the parties for the election campaign.Suara Timor Loro Sa'e: Reis Kadalak threatens to burn down CNE's office, 14 Mei 2012. On 18 May, the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC) made allegations against the CNRT's campaign financing. Companies that had paid several hundred thousand US dollars to the party were said to have received lucrative contracts from the government. Party leader and Prime Minister Gusmão rejected the accusations. He said that it was normal party financing, as it is handled worldwide. Moreover, they have only received pledges of donations so far, but not money. If the donations come in the name of companies and not from individuals, they will not be accepted according to the law. The allegations are also controversial because they were made by Fernanda Borges, the PUN party leader, and are seen as electioneering. The public prosecutor's office and the Anti-Corruption Commission (Timor-Leste) de Comissão Anti-Corrupção Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) are investigating the circumstances.Murdoch Lindsay 20 May 2012 Corruption claims sour Timor party http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/corruption-claims-sour-timor-party-20120519-1yxmd.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120609012305/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/corruption-claims-sour-timor-party-20120519-1yxmd.html 9 June 2012 2022-12-21 The Canberra Times2016-03-17 Timor PM's party denies receiving illegal political donations Connect Asia ABC Radio Australia http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/timor-pms-party-denies-receiving-illegal-political-donations/947298 2022-12-21 17 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160317170535/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/timor-pms-party-denies-receiving-illegal-political-donations/947298 bot: unknown According to the electoral law, official campaigning began on 5 June and ran until 4 July. The government gave 6 July, the day before election day, off to state employees. Administration, offices and public schools remain closed. This is to allow employees and civil servants to travel to their home towns to cast their votes.Day-off Granted for July 6, 2012 « Government of Timor-Leste http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=7035&lang=en 2022-12-21 timor-leste.gov.tl en thumbnail|Child on a moped at a KHUNTO event in Dili The election campaign period was largely peaceful. On 23 June, two men were arrested by the police for throwing stones at cars belonging to a Fretilin campaign group. According to police, the perpetrators were not supporters of another party, but members of a group known for causing trouble.2016-03-10 Detidas duas pessoas por apedrejamento a apoiantes da Fretilin - Internacional - Angola Press - ANGOP http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/pt_pt/noticias/internacional/2012/5/25/Detidas-duas-pessoas-por-apedrejamento-apoiantes-Fretilin,d7803cee-1474-46b5-b9db-d514174e201d.html 2022-12-21 10 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022411/http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/pt_pt/noticias/internacional/2012/5/25/Detidas-duas-pessoas-por-apedrejamento-apoiantes-Fretilin,d7803cee-1474-46b5-b9db-d514174e201d.html bot: unknown As of 3 July, only 14 written complaints about violations during the election campaign had been filed with the CNE, mostly involving the destruction of campaign material such as party flags. Three complaints were forwarded to law enforcement agencies.Diario Nacional: CNE submit three cases of electoral crimes to the Public Prosecution, 29 June 2012.Radio Timor-Leste: CNE submits three cases to Public Prosecution, 3 July 2012. The most serious incident was an arson attack on the CNRT office in Ossu (Viqueque municipality).Diario Nacional: PNTL start to investigate case of burning CNRT's district office, 29 June 2012. On several occasions, the CNE criticised the unauthorised use of children at election campaign events.Diario Nacional: CNE calls on political parties not to involve children in campaigning, 21 June 2012. Shortly before the end of the regular election campaign, PD party leader Fernando de Aráujo warned at a campaign appearance in Baucau that some of the major parties might try to buy votes for 20 to 50 US dollars.Jornal INDEPENDENTE: Lasama Suspicious Some Large Party Will Engage in Vote Buying, 2 July 2012. PUN leader Fernanda Borges also accused the big parties of buying many votes in the countryside. The CNRT in particular had thrown a lot of money around, the origin of which was not clear.Roughneen Simon 2012-07-09 East Timor can finally look forward to a bright new dawn after its historic election https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-20200144.html 2022-12-21 Irish Examiner en The head of the EU observer mission Nuno Melo also reported cases of vote buying.Diario Nacional: EU observers recognizes money politics in elections, 11 July 2012.East Timor's second major transition since independence Christian Science Monitor https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2012/0711/East-Timor-s-second-major-transition-since-independence/(page)/2 2022-12-21 0882-7729 thumbnail|Fretilin Secretary General Marí Alkatiri distributing flowers on 4 July Fretilin announced that instead of holding a demonstration march as a final event in Dili, they would distribute flowers to the people on the last day of the election campaign as a sign of peace.https://archive.today/20130418184224/http://parlamentares.sapo.tl/2012/noticias/lusa/artigo/14571846.html SAPO: Timor/Eleições:Fretilin substitui comício de encerramento de campanha eleitoral em Díli por distribuição de flores, 28 June 2012 The Australia Timor-Leste Friendship Network confirmed free and fair elections in Timor-Leste. There were only minor technical problems.19 June 2012 Compendium of the 2012 Elections in Timor-Leste https://unmit.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/old_dnn/Compendium%20of%20the%202012%20Elections%20-%2019%20June.pdf UNMIT and UNDP 34 The American International Republican Institute also attested to a peaceful election in Timor-Leste, which remained without major incidents and generally met international standards. Only minor irregularities were registered, but these are said to have had no effect on the election results. For example, not every polling station was checked before casting the ballot to ensure that the voter did not already have an ink-stained finger, which would indicate that the vote had already been cast. In some polling stations, there were irritations regarding the positioning of voting booths, and election observers sporadically registered voters who had not yet reached the minimum age of 17.IRI: http://www.iri.org/news-events-press-center/news/timor-leste-holds-credible-parliamentary-elections Timor-Leste Holds Credible Parliamentary Elections, 8 July 2012 20 December 2022 17 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120717034008/http://www.iri.org/news-events-press-center/news/timor-leste-holds-credible-parliamentary-elections bot: unknown , Retrieved on 20 December 2021. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated Timor-Leste for the peaceful conduct of the elections.2012-07-08 UN News Centre: UN chief congratulates Timor-Leste on peaceful holding of parliamentary elections http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42420&Cr=Timor-Leste&Cr1= unfit https://web.archive.org/web/20120708172252/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42420&Cr=Timor-Leste&Cr1= 8 July 2012 2022-12-20 Praise also came from the European Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.2012-07-10 Democratic consolidation in Timor-Leste https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/07/10/democratic-consolidation-in-timor-leste/ 2022-12-21 East Asia Forum en The Friendship Observer Mission (FOM), which consisted of various East Timorese and foreign members, listed several problems and violations in its report. This concerned, in addition to the Frenti-Mudança's campaign with paid election workers, lack of checking for stained fingers of voters (the sign that they had already voted) and the appearance at election rallies of men in traditional dress wielding traditional weapons such as spears and surik. While FOM recognises that these are part of the country's folklore, they see a fundamental problem with the appearance of armed people in election campaigns. The Chefe de Suco of Lelaufe announced at an election rally in Lifau that he would force all parties in his Suco to remove all banners and party flags that were not from the CNRT.Friendship Observer Mission: Preliminary Report Parliamentary Elections 2012 (updated) (PDF-File) In the two polling stations in Lelaufe, the CNRT only received 32.63% and 44.20%.STAE: Provisional results of Election Centers (PDF; 2,6 MB) http://www.stae.tl/download/provisional_results_2012_parliament.pdf 2022-12-21June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes The non-governmental organisation Fundasaun Mahein recommended that the new government establish clear rules on party funding and party donations based on the experience of the elections.Osan Mos Tuir 'Hadahur' Iha Festa Demokrasia – Fundasaun Mahein https://www.fundasaunmahein.org/2012/07/09/osan-mos-tuir-%e2%80%9chadahur%e2%80%9d-iha-festa-demokrasia/ 2022-12-21 en-AU Results thumbnail|right|Polling station in Estado (Ermera) thumbnail|"I voted!" Ink-stained finger According to the preliminary final results, the CNRT is in the lead with 36.66% (30 seats), followed by Fretilin with 29.87% (25 seats). The PD obtained 10.31% (8 seats) and the Frenti-Mudança 3.11% (2 seats). The turnout was 74.78%. The other parties and alliances failed to clear the three-percent hurdle, including KHUNTO with a narrow 2.97%.http://www.stae.tl/elections/2012/rezultado/parlamentar/ STAE: Rezultadu Provizorio Eleisaun Parlamentar 2012 8 July 2012 5 December 2012 https://archive.today/20121205024506/http://www.stae.tl/elections/2012/rezultado/parlamentar/ bot: unknown , retrieved 8 July 2012.2013-02-09 Frente Mudança que conseguiu eleger dois deputados está "perplexa" com resultados eleitorais - Notícia Lusa - Especial Eleições Parlamentares 2012 http://parlamentares.sapo.tl/2012/noticias/lusa/artigo/14625580.html https://web.archive.org/web/20130209193921/http://parlamentares.sapo.tl/2012/noticias/lusa/artigo/14625580.html 9 February 2013 2023-01-06 The official final result was published by the CNE on 13 July. It confirmed the previously assumed distribution of seats.2012-07-13 East Timor's ruling party to form coalition en-AU ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-13/an-east-timor27s-xanana-gusmao-forced-to-seek-coalition-govern/4130128 2023-01-06 File:Timor oriental Parlement national 2012.svg National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction 172831 30 +12 Fretilin 140786 25 +4 Democratic Party 48581 8 0 Frenti-Mudança 14648 2 New Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan 13998 0 New Socialist Party of Timor 11379 0 0 Social Democratic Party 10158 0 – National Development Party (Timor-Leste) de Partido do Desenvolvimento Nacional National Development Party 9386 0 New Timorese Social Democratic Association 8487 0 – National Unity of Timorese Resistance 7041 0 –2 Timorese Democratic Union 5332 0 0 Republican Party 4270 0 0 People's Freedom Party of the Aileba de Partidu Liberta Povu Aileba PLPA–PDRT coalition 4012 0 0 Timorese Monarchist People's Association de Associação Popular Monarquia Timorense 3968 0 New National Unity Party 3191 0 –3 Coligação Bloco Proclamador (PMD–National Republican Party of Timor-Leste de Partido Republika Nacional Timor Leste PARENTIL) 3125 0 0 Democratic Alliance (KOTA–PTT) 2622 0 –2 Timorese Democratic Party de Partido Timorense Democrático 2561 0 0 Liberal Party 2222 0 New People's Development Party de Partido do Desenvolvimento Popular 1904 0 New Christian Democratic Party 887 0 0 11403 0 645624 https://archive.today/20121205024506/http://www.stae.tl/elections/2012/rezultado/parlamentar/ STAE, SAPO Aftermath V Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste PD Deputy Secretary General Samuel Mendonça stated on 10 July 2012 that the PD would go into opposition if independents were included in the cabinet. This would not correspond to the PD's criteria.Timor Post: PD ready to sit as opposition: PD deputy secretary-general, 11 July 2012. Nevertheless, the new East Timorese cabinet also included independent members. CNRT General Secretary Babo Soares announced that after the party congress on 15 July, Fretilin and PD would be invited to coalition talks. Until then, informal talks would continue.Independente: CNRT will invite Fretilin and PD, 12 July 2012. The non-governmental organisation La'o Hamutuk spoke out against the idea of a government of national unity made up of CNRT and Fretilin. It would speak against the needs of a pluralist state.Bachelard Michael 2012-07-10 Parties haggle on East Timor government https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/parties-haggle-on-east-timor-government-20120710-21tuo.html 2023-01-06 Brisbane Times en In contrast, the veterans' organization CPD-RDTL called for an agreement between CNRT and Fretilin, saying their leaders both came from the common front of the independence movement and could therefore form a joint government. The Timorese should not imitate the international concept of the opposition, said the CPD-RDTL spokesperson.Radio Timor-Leste: CPD-RDTL calls for consensus to set up new government, 13 July 2012. On 15 July, the CNRT announced that it would form a coalition with the PD and Frenti-Mudança.Dili Joyce Morgan 2012-07-15 Gusmao to form East Timor coalition https://www.smh.com.au/world/gusmao-to-form-east-timor-coalition-20120715-22467.html 2023-01-06 The Sydney Morning Herald en Fretilin MP and former Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva was calm in the face of the CNRT party congress' decision.Bachelard Michael 2012-07-15 Violence in East Timor after snub to party https://www.smh.com.au/world/violence-in-east-timor-after-snub-to-party-20120715-2246k.html 2023-01-06 The Sydney Morning Herald en The new parliament convened for the first time on 30 July 2012.Radio Timor-Leste: Sixty five new MPs inducted, 31 July 2012. On the nights of 15–17 July, violent riots broke out in Dili's Comoro neighbourhood and other outskirts.Bachelard Michael 2012-07-15 Violence in East Timor after snub to party https://www.smh.com.au/world/violence-in-east-timor-after-snub-to-party-20120715-2246k.html 2023-01-04 The Sydney Morning Herald en In Hera, Armindo Pereira Alves, a student and Fretilin supporter from Uato-Lari, was shot dead by a police officer. The officer was then temporarily suspended.20 July 2012 Police officer who shot dead Armindo Pereira Alves suspended https://www.easttimorlawandjusticebulletin.com/2012/07/police-officer-who-shot-dead-armindo.html 2023-01-04 East Timor Legal Blogspot en When Alves' body was returned to his home, there was an attack on the police station in Uato-Lari.20 July 2012 Uatulari Police station attacked https://www.easttimorlawandjusticebulletin.com/2012/07/uatulari-police-station-attacked.html 2023-01-04 East Timor Legal Blogspot en Four PNTL and UNPOL cars were destroyed.Radio Timor-Leste: PNTL and UN Police cars destroyed in Uatulari, 20 July 2012. Uato-Lari has long been considered a region of unrest, with violent clashes occurring regularly.24 April 2012 The Everlasting Trouble in Uatulari https://www.fundasaunmahein.org/2012/04/24/the-everlasting-trouble-in-uatulari/ 2023-01-04 Fundasaun Mahein en-AU 15 other people, including four police officers, were injured in the riots in Dili. 60 cars and seven houses were destroyed. 16 people were arrested by the police when they damaged the An-Nur Mosque, Timor-Leste's largest mosque.Goullart Guido Goullart 18 July 2012 East Timor president calls for security forces to restore order after post-election violence (AP) https://www.easttimorlawandjusticebulletin.com/2012/07/east-timor-president-calls-for-security.html 2023-01-04 East Timor Legal Blogspot & Associated Press en 30 January 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230130045040/https://www.easttimorlawandjusticebulletin.com/2012/07/east-timor-president-calls-for-security.html dead National police chief Longuinhos Monteiro denied a political motivation behind the violence and Fretilin denied any responsibility for the outbreak of violence. Fretilin General Secretary Marí Alkatiri, however, blamed members of the CNRT. He said that they had spoken disparagingly about Fretilin in a discussion broadcast live on television and had provoked the unrest.2012-07-17 Hundreds mourn victim of E Timor post-poll violence en-AU Australia Network News (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-17/an-timor-funeral/4137070 2023-01-04 Alkatiri, however, said that the CNRT had the right to form a coalition without Fretilin and that they still wanted to work with the government.Morgan Joyce 16 July 2012 Fretilin denies responsibility for violence http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/fretilin-denies-responsibility-for-violence-20120716-226eg.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151229073207/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/fretilin-denies-responsibility-for-violence-20120716-226eg.html 29 December 2015 2023-01-04 The Canberra Times CNRT General Secretary, Babo Soares, apologised for the harsh words of his party colleagues.Deonisio Babo Regrets type of rhetoric used by participants to the CNRT Party Congress https://www.easttimorlawandjusticebulletin.com/2012/07/deonisio-babo-regrets-type-of-rhetoric.html 2023-01-04 East Timor Legal Blogspot en But the head of the Australian election observers Damien Kingsbury also blamed the unrest on the disappointment of Fretilin supporters who had believed in the success of the campaign to return to government.Alford Peter 2012-07-20 Timor turning the corner on poll violence https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/world/timor-turning-the-corner-on-poll-violence/news-story/a9f692c4751cadb1a7a54626401db3eb https://web.archive.org/web/20120720220144/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/timor-turning-the-corner-on-poll-violence/story-e6frg6so-1226431222310 20 July 2012 2023-01-04 subscription live The Australian The police brought the situation back under their control by morning. UNMIT did not consider the outbreak of violence as a "major security incident."2012-10-08 East Timor Update: One Person Killed in Post-Poll Protests The Jakarta Globe http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/east-timor-update-one-person-killed-in-post-poll-protests/530769 2023-01-04 8 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121008031641/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/east-timor-update-one-person-killed-in-post-poll-protests/530769 bot: unknown References Notes Further reading Kingsbury Damien Damien Kingsbury Democratic consolidation in Timor-Leste https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/07/10/democratic-consolidation-in-timor-leste/ East Asia Forum 20 January 2022 10 July 2012 Leach Michael Timor-Leste: the parliamentary campaign begins https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/06/22/timor-leste-the-parliamentary-campaign-begins/ East Asia Forum 20 January 2022 22 June 2012 Leach Michael Post-election Timor-Leste: the parties enter negotiations https://insidestory.org.au/post-election-timor-leste-the-parties-enter-negotiations/ Inside Story 30 November 2020 10 July 2012 7 External links Category:Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Parliamentary