The civil registration process has been a success. Since the start of it on 24 February till its closing on 22 June, 777,989 Timorese have been registered at the various centers in the country. The total population of Timor Lorosae has been estimated at 812,000 people.

This was stated by Piter Rimmeli, the head of the Civil Registry Unit. Out of the 777,989 that had been registered, 370,000 would be eligible to vote in the 30 August election.

"Civil registration is still open for those who haven't registered and want to be citizens. There is no deadline for registration," said Rimmeli.

He emphasized, however, that the cut-off date for taking part in the August 30 election was 22 June. "Those who were registered on 23 June cannot take part in the election," he stressed.

Rimmeli said 1,200 foreigners had been registered as Timorese citizens and, now, had the right to vote in the 30 August election. He said the foreigners were married to East Timorese citizens.

Rimmeli said that the registration process was not problem-free. "During the four months, we encountered various difficulties. There were computer problems; the generators failed because we were using them full-time; and there were certain people who were just not familiar with the procedures," said Rimmeli.