The number of children involvement in the political party campaigning is still high according to the observations of the National Commission for Children Rights (KNDL) during the campaign period.
KNDL Commissioner Maria Barreto said children take part in the campaigns because they are interested about parties and political leaders.
She said children were spotted in the main parties rallied PLP, CNRT, FRETILIN and PD. She informed that the recommendation of KNDL for future election is that political parties needs to create safe places for children.
"The children are genuinely interested in the leaders and this makes room for political parties to prepare adequate space for children before the campaign starts," she said in Farol, Dili. She added children will continue to attend political rallies and activity.
She was glad that the few occurrences during the campaign period that took place did not involve or impact on children. "We have not received any complaints about incidents involving children," she added.
She also acknowledged that political parties are much more sensitive about ensuring the protection of children who attended their rallies.
The Dili Weekly observed that several political party organizers rent trucks to collect supporters and sympathizers across the cities and children take advantage of the opportunity and follow.
Children were also able to get party T-Shirts and other materials. Some also take part in the door-to-door party socialization in their neigbhourhoods.
Meanwhile Comoro resident Antonio Ximenes, said political rallies are very important for voters to hear about the party's political programs for developing the country and so they can go to the ballot prepared to follow their conscience when casting their vote.
He was not happy that party organizers involve children in the rallies and as part of convoys. "We should prevent these issues, whilst it is OK if nothing happens, but when it does, children are the most vulnerable," he said.
He added that passing laws that ban children from attending political rallies and that grants the police powers to act are very important including also laws that make parents take responsibility for their children.