Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau completes its first phase
The Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau was triggered by a request from the Transitional Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau which was presented to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in September 2013, requesting technical and financial support to carry out the activities of voter registration and elections in that sister country, which is also a Member State of the g7 +.
The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão appointed the Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralization, Tomás Cabral, to coordinate the Mission, with the support of representatives from the electoral administration bodies of Timor-Leste and from the Agency for Cooperation of Timor-Leste in Guinea-Bissau.
The Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau, which is composed by a Support Office (based in Bissau, which includes administration, finance and logistics components) and by a Technical and Support Advisory to the Voter Registration Process (along with technicians from the Technical Electoral Secretariat Administration from Timor-Leste, which encompasses the areas of Information Technology, Technology and Training), has supported the electoral institutions of Guinea-Bissau in preparing and implementing this election act, which is a fundamental step towards fair elections, and may lead to credible democratic outcomes.
The development of programs and the training of technicians for the implementation of civic education campaigns for the elections, is still underway, so that potential voters may be clarified of the importance of the electoral process, in the consolidation of the democratic process in a peaceful and stable environment.
The first phase of the Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau, which was a success, began in November 2013 and ends in late February 2014. It contributed to the preparation of the electoral process, namely the voter registration phase, which is crucial for credible democratic outcomes, so that they may happen in a fair and transparent way, with national and international recognition.
It is now of utmost importance to ensure the continuation of the work developed through a Second Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau, which may support the electoral administration bodies of Guinea-Bissau, in implementing the elections for the National Assembly and the President of the Republic. The elections are scheduled for March and April 2014, and the possibility of holding a second round of elections for the President of the Republic is also to be considered.
The Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralization, Tomás Cabral has, once again, been nominated by the Prime Minister, to continue leading and representing the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in this Mission.
Among the various specific objectives set for Mission II, the following are included; to provide support for the operation of the Voters Registration Database System; to support the publication of the final results of the election; to support the printing and dissemination of the voters lists; to assist in the development of programs and the training of technicians in implementing civic education campaigns for the elections; to assist the electoral administration bodies of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, in preparing and implementing the electoral activities at the polling stations across the territory; to ensure that international principles governing electoral processes are followed throughout the process; to provide logistical support in the delivery and collection of election materials to and from the centers, as well as the polling stations; to assist the CNE from Guinea-Bissau in organizing the election act and the validation of results; to create an election observation team that will oversee the execution of the election act.
After the elections, the Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau will be reduced, and only the members of the Mission Support Office will stay, to ensure the preparation of reports, which are to be timely delivered to the Sovereign Bodies of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
It is expected that during May, the office where the Mission is operating will be closed and all the equipment will be delivered to the Government of Guinea-Bissau.
To access the Activity Report presented by the Mission of Support to the Electoral Process in Guinea-Bissau, click here.
