Dili, 4 September 2001

FURTHER RESULTS ANNOUNCED IN CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY POLLS

The Independent Electoral Commission today announced the final, yet-to-be-certified national representative results from the East Timorese districts of Viqueque, Lautem, Oecussi, Bobonaro and Ermera districts following the 30 August Constituent Assembly elections.

Today's national representative results are briefly described below:

In National Representative elections in Viqueque district, Fretilin received 74.9 % of the vote. The Partido Democrático (PD) received 3.9 %. The Partido Social Democrata (PSD) received 3.4 %, and the Partido Socialista de Timor (PST) received 2.2 %. The other parties and independent national candidates each received less than 3 % of the vote.

In National Representative elections in Lautem district, Fretilin received 62.7 % of the vote. The Partido Democrático (PD) received 10.4 %. The Partido Social Democrata (PSD) received 10.1 %. The other parties and independent national candidates each received less than 2 percent of the vote.

In National Representative elections in Oecussi district, Fretilin received 38.6 % of the vote. The Partido Social Democrata (PSD) received 23.4 %, the Partido Democrático (PD) received 7 %, the PL received 5.75 %, the PPT received 5.74 %, and the UDT received 4 %. The other parties and independent national candidates each received less than 3 % percent of the vote.

In National Representative elections in Bobonaro district, Fretilin received 57.4 % of the vote. The Partido Democrático (PD) received 12.6 %. The Partido Social Democrata (PSD) received 11.1 %, and the ASDT received 4.3 %. The other parties and independent national candidates each received less than 3 % of the vote.

In National Representative elections in Ermera district, Fretilin received 31.9 % of the vote. The Partido Democrático (PD) received 20.7 %. The Partido Social Democrata (PSD) received 19.9 %, the ASDT received 4.38 %, and the PDC received 4.36 %. The UDT received 3.5 %, and the other parties and independent national candidates each received less than 2.5 % of the vote.

The provisionally elected district representatives announced today are: Independent candidate António da Costa, Oecussi district; and the following Fretilin candidates; José Andrade, Bobonaro; and Januário Soares, Viqueque. The announcement that Armindo da Silva has been elected district representative in Lautem district was made yesterday, as were the results of the national representative elections in Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, Liquiça, and Manatuto districts.

Voters electing the 88-member Constituent Assembly used two ballot papers. They chose one representative for their district and also, separately, a national representative. The 75 national seats in the Constituent Assembly will be awarded proportionally to parties and/or independent candidates after the Independent Electoral Commission tallies the entire national vote. The election results will only be certified on 10 September after a period where parties and candidates may challenge the results.

OECUSSI FERRY CANCELLED FOR PASSENGER TRAVEL

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello has suspended the ferry service connecting the Oecussi enclave to the rest of East Timor due to safety concerns especially in light of the upcoming rainy season.

The barge service, which has been carrying passengers between Oecussi and Dili for free for the past 18 months, was suspended yesterday.

The East Timor Transitional Administration is actively pursuing several reliable and safe alternatives, including road, air, and other sea options through discussions with governments, international agencies, and transport companies. A sustainable solution to the problem is expected soon, and details for temporary measures to address emergency medical and humanitarian needs are expected by the end of this week.