Timor-Leste: Ban Ki-moon ‘greatly encouraged’ by peaceful presidential run-off

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that he was “greatly encouraged” by yesterday’s peaceful presidential run-off election in Timor-Leste, the tiny nation that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as UNMIT, reported that “the people cast their votes in a calm and orderly manner, reflecting once again their commitment to democracy,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“The final round caps a similarly peaceful electoral campaign,” he added.

Voters went to the polls yesterday to select either Jose Ramos-Horta or Francisco Guterres as their nation’s president. The initial round of polls – the first ever in Timor-Leste – took place on 9 April with eight candidates vying to lead the country.

Mr. Ban “congratulates the people and authorities of Timor-Leste and trusts that the same peaceful and democratic spirit will prevail during the vote counting and tabulation process over the next few days,” the statement added.

Provisional results of the election are expected to be released either tomorrow or Monday.