IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
SECRETARIAT OF STATE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

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PRESS RELEASE

Grant of day-off April 16 and 17, 2012

The IV Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste decided to grant days-off on April 16 and 17, 2012, to all employees and agents of ministries and departments under their responsibility, as well as institutes and organizations included indirectly in State administration. The Public Education Institutions must also close all day, on both days.

This decision is in compliance with article 63.^o of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste establishing the citizens’ political participation. Section n.^o 1 of this article determines the direct and active participation of women and men in political life is a requirement and a key instrument of the democratic system.

The Law n.^o 7/2006, from December 28, regarding the electoral act for president, states in n.^o 4 of article 36.^o that those responsible for companies or services, public or private, operating on election day, should make it convenient for workers to take sufficient time from service to be able to exercise the right to vote.

Thus, based on Law n.^o 10/2005, from August 10, which determines the national holidays, the official commemorative dates and days-off, the Government grants full day-off, on April 16, 2012, voting day and on April 17, 2012, to allow citizens that are registered voters at a place other than where they reside to exercise their right to vote.