Stephen Fitzpatrick, Dili – Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese queued for hours under a blazing sun yesterday to choose a new president in the first election wholly run by the young country.
As UN police and observers, joined by European Union monitors, helped with security and logistics, East Timorese officials dealt with streams of people voting at more than 500 polling sites across the country.
Many participants said the result was not as important as the fact the presidential election – only the second since the country voted for its independence in 1999 and the first without the UN in charge – was taking place.
"There is little difference between this party or that party; what's important is that we have a safe and democratic situation," said Faustino da Souza, village chief of Vila, on the small island of Aitaro, just a few kilometres north of the capital, Dili.
"Whatever the people choose, it's up to them. It's up to everyone, not just one person."
The presidency is being contested by eight candidates but only two – current prime minister Jose Ramos Horta and parliamentary speaker Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres – are thought to have a strong chance.
There will be a run-off poll next month if no candidate wins an absolute majority, and then parliamentary elections on June 30, which could see the ruling Fretilin Government unseated and an administration led by current President Kay Rala "Xanana" Gusmao take its place. Mr Gusmao has not yet committed to running in that election but is generally expected to stand on behalf of his CNRT – or National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction – party.
Mr Ramos Horta voted at a primary school near his home as soon as polling opened, at 7am, and said: "If today the people decide I should carry on for five more years, I will accept that. But whatever the result, I am the winner. I'm the winner if I win and I'm the winner if I lose."
On Sunday Mr Ramos Horta said if he lost he would at least get his life back. Asked who would be his first lady should he take the presidency, however, the single Mr Ramos Horta – whose ex-wife Ana Pessoa is Administrative Affairs Minister in his government – replied: "All the poor women of East Timor will be the first lady."
Former prime minister Mari Alkatiri, who was replaced by Mr Ramos Horta during last year's crisis, was full of confidence as he arrived at a polling booth in his Dili harbourside suburb of Farol with the Fretilin candidate, Mr Guterres.
"We have never lost, and we will win again," the Fretilin secretary general, whose opponents accuse him of arrogance and a distant attitude, boasted.
Mr Guterres also predicted a result in his favour. "I am happy because this is an election for the Timorese people, and I am certain we will win," the former anti-Indonesian guerilla fighter said.
Opponents have accused Fretilin supporters of dirty tricks, and Mr Ramos Horta claimed yesterday to have been pelted with rocks by supporters of his opponents while campaigning in Los Palos, Viqueque and Metinaro – all towns in the east, where Fretilin support for Mr Guterres is strongest.
"I urge Fretilin militants to make the right choice," Mr Ramos Horta said. "If they don't, Fretilin will not be at the front line. I also say that the leaders must be expelled or replaced so Fretilin can go forward."
Mr Ramos Horta said his greatest priority if he won would be addressing the nation's security problems, particularly its crisis-hit military and police forces.
Casting his vote at a polling station in the often-troubled Dili suburb of Comoro, Democratic Party chairman Fernando de Araujo – widely considered to be a dark-horse candidate who could help force the poll to a run-off election between Mr Ramos Horta and Mr Guterres – conceded that he did not expect a spectacular result from his campaign.
"I think I must be realistic," Mr de Araujo said. "There are eight of us, so it's difficult for anyone to get 50 per cent. I'm not hoping to win in the first round – what's more important is the process."
Mr de Araujo promised that if he failed in his bid to become president, he would not abandon his place in East Timorese political life.
Mr Gusmao has backed Mr Ramos Horta, bringing with him the votes of many veterans of the 1975-1999 armed struggle for independence.
Losing candidates are expected to throw their weight behind Mr Ramos Horta or Mr Guterres in the event of a run-off presidential poll.