Dili, 18/04/2023 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Covid-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) project, funded by the Government of Japan, handed over 10,008 bottles of electoral ink to Secretariado Técnico de Administração Eleitoral (STAE) for the Parliamentary Election 2023. 

The handover of electoral ink for the Parliamentary Election 2023 took place at STAE Office in Dili on April 18, 2023, attended by H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, STAE Director General Mr. Acilino Manuel Branco, CNE Commissioner Ms. Odete. M. Belo, UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel, and representatives of political parties.  

At the event, the UNDP CORE-TL project handed over 10,008 bottles of electoral ink to STAE for the Parliamentary Election 2023. Director General of STAE Mr. Acilino Manuel Branco said, “Today we are all here to be a witness of receiving electoral ink that ensures citizen’s right to vote” and “the electoral ink will prevent double-voting and guarantee a transparent and fair election” explained CNE Commissioner Ms. Odete. M. Belo.

“I would like to encourage all Timorese voters – especially first-time voters, young voters, people with disabilities, and people of all ages to vote freely. I also would like to encourage all political parties to develop a platform and implement policies for the future generations of Timor-Leste” emphasized UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel. 

Finally, “the electoral ink will be distributed to voting centers nationwide for the upcoming election. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank UNDP for working with the government to support the electoral management bodies to carry out the 2023 election. expressed ”H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Miguel Pereira de Carvalho.

The electoral ink was procured by UNDP based on the financing agreement with the Government of Timor-Leste and arrived in Dili on April 12, 2023. Prior to the ink arrival, CNE, STAE, and UNDP held ink testing twice (March 1st and March 30th in 2023) to ensure the quality, accountability, and transparency of electoral ink; The first electoral ink testing was held on March 1st, 2023, in which a selected sample of electoral ink was agreed upon by CNE and STAE. The second ink confirmation testing was conducted with political parties under the supervision of CNE, STAE, and UNDP, the political parties approved the use of the ink for the 2023 parliamentary election.

In cooperation with CNE and STAE, the UNDP CORE-TL project ensures informed and inclusive elections at the national and municipal levels. The UNDP-TL project is funded by the Government of Japan.