United Nations officials say that the voting for the election of the first president in East Timor was conducted peacefully with a large turnout of voters. According to a UN political affairs official, the elections held on Sunday proceeded without any reports of disruptions. Approximately 400,000 voters in East Timor chose their president just weeks before the full declaration of independence for the territory. Xanana Gusmão, the former leader of the East Timorese guerrilla movement, and Francisco Xavier do Amaral are the two leading candidates in the presidential election, with Gusmão expected to win by a significant majority. Official election results will be announced by Wednesday. Since 1999, the United Nations has been administering East Timor, after the people voted for independence in a UN-supervised referendum from Indonesia, which had controlled the territory for 24 years.
Elections in East Timor Held Peacefully with Massive Public Participation - 2002-04-15
Elections in East Timor were held peacefully with a significant voter turnout, as approximately 400,000 voters participated in choosing their first president. Xanana Gusmão and Francisco Xavier do Amaral were the leading candidates, with Gusmão anticipated to win. This election is crucial as it marks a step towards full independence for East Timor.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
East Timor held its first presidential elections with a large voter turnout and no reported disruptions. Xanana Gusmão is expected to win against Francisco Xavier do Amaral.
- Approximately 400,000 voters participated in the election.
- The elections are a significant step towards East Timor's full independence from UN administration.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
East Timor, formerly a Portuguese colony, was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 and struggled for independence until a UN-supervised referendum in 1999.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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