Timor presidential race to be close
Results emerging so far from East Timor’s presidential poll suggest the a run off poll between Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and one other candidate is likely, with no candidate likely to get an outright majority. Polls closed unmarred by violence yesterday evening in the contest that is seeing the current prime minister vying for the presidential spot along with seven other hopefuls including the majority Fretilin Party Candidate, Francisco Lu Olo Guterres. However, observers note that while Ramos Horta may still win any run-off presidential poll – which will take place within the next month – who ever takes office will have a big job on their hands to bring together the nations warring factions and ensure that all sides respect the results of the democratic vote. Deakin University’s Associate Professor Damien Kingsbury, is in Timor Leste heading up an electoral observer delegation from Victoria. Earlier he gave an update on how the counting is going so far.