Five people arrested Thursday in the East Timorese capital had various weapons in their possession, the UN civil police spokesman said, adding that the operation had nothing to do with the elections occurring on the same day.

Luis Carrilho told Lusa that the operation took place Thursday because "investigators were only able to obtain arrest warrants" on Wednesday. "We had a search warrant, which we carried out in Dili's Becora neighborhood. But it's not related to the elections", Carrilho specified. The weapons seized included a machine gun, ammunition, a bottle with gasoline and two knive[s].

"The investigation began a few days ago. Despite the elections, we continue our normal patrol and criminal investigation work" he added.

Polling stations for East Timor's Constituent Assembly elections closed at 4p.m. local time Thursday. Police later reported that the situation was calm throughout the territory and that no major incidents had disrupted the voting process.