Presidential Hopefulls

The campaign has started for the Timor Leste Presidential elections. There are 8 candidates. In the electoral forms order 1. Lu-Olu FRETILIN’s candidate; 2. Avelino Coelho PST Candidate; 3. Francisco Xavier do Amaral ASDT candidate; 4. Manuel Tilman of KOTA; 5. Lucia Lobato; 6. Jose Ramos Horta; 7. Joao Carrascalao; 8. Fernando de Araujo Lasama PD’s candidate.

The surprise of the campaign was the low turnout in support for Ramos Horta. A strong campaign launch in Dili would have cemented his proclaimed status as favourite for the elections. Considering it was Dili, Timor Leste’s capital city with the largest urban population the turnout of around 500 was disappointing to say the least, it has been reported that efforts were made to accommodate more than 6000 people.
Hortas Dili campaign was also followed by less than expected turnouts in Ermera it was described in the ABC that the crowd was small but adoring see http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1880858.htm.

Horta made an interesting speech at Dili in which he promised an annual support of US$10 million dollars to assist the church in its activities, it would be interesting to find out where he would obtain this money since the President does not have any executive power in relation to the state budget. His campaign is consistent with the theme of being close the Timorese church as he first proclaimed his intent in contesting the Presidential elections wearing a shirt with the image of the Christ. This theme continues with the posters of Horta and the Bishop. The election date set for the 9 April the Monday following Easter Sunday may not be a coincidence at all. However, any sermon on a Sunday no matter how supportive it will be of Horta, will not do much to change the outcome of the elections as the people as it seems in view of the low attendances may have already a preconceived idea of who they will and who they won’t be voting for on the Monday after Easter. Horta will praying hard on Easter Sunday.

In contrast to Ramos Hortas campaign another strong candidate Francisco LuOlu Guterres was launched in his hometown Ossu, where it was reported that 10,000 people were present. LuOlu has also campaigned well by visiting the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps throughout Dili. A warm reception was also received in Gleno where between 6,000 and 7,000 people attended.

FRETILIN has been very well organised and has supported LuOlu’s candidacy with the maintenance of informative LuOlu blogs http://www.luolobapresidente.blogspot.com/ and http://luolo.blogspot.com/, video images have also been posted on youtube, a Timorese version of American Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Obama’s use of the internet as a tool for campaigning.

Fernando de Araujo had around 2000 supporters in Suai for his campaign launch. PD has organised their own website which contains information on the candidate www.partidodemocratico.org and they also have a blog pdemocratico.blogspot.com. In comparison with the blog run by FRETILIN there is not much interaction, without much information on their campaign.

It has been reported that Lucia Lobato from PSD also had a strong gathering in Liquisa.

Joao Carrascalao a founder of UDT and the borther of Mario of PSD is also running for the Presidency. Information about Joao can be found on
www.joaocarrascalaoparapresidente.blogspot.com

There has been limited information on the other candidates. I will bring further information when it comes to hand.