Dili, 28/04/2023 – A new office of The National Elections Commission (CNE) was constructed in the Municipality of Aileu with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Covid-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) project funded by the Government of Japan.

On April 28, the inauguration ceremony of CNE office took place in the Municipality of Aileu, attended by H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya, Head of Office of Minister State Administration Mr.Martinho Siqueira, President of CNE Dr. Jose Pereira Belo, Director General of STAE Mr. Acilino Manuel Branco, UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Funmi Balogun, and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel. 

With financial support from the Government of Japan, the UNDP CORE-TL project has been supporting the construction of new offices for Election Management Bodies; 3 CNE offices in Aileu, Covalima, and Baucau, and 3 STAE offices in Covalima, Manatutu, and Viqueque. All the new offices are equipped with accessible facilities for people with disabilities, such as ramps and an accessible bathroom, as well as solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, handwashing stations, and spacious multi-functional rooms.

“The new CNE building belongs to Aileu, stays with the citizens of Aileu, and we use it properly for the future of Aileu and all of us. I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Japan and UNDP for their strong support on the upcoming parliamentary election. Also, thank all who contributed to the completion of the new office” said President of CNE Dr. Jose Pereira Belo.

“I believe that, assets gained through this cooperation project including the new CNE building will contribute to the upcoming parliamentary election and many elections in the future. Japan will continue to stand by as the friend of Timor-Leste, as it proceeds on its path to further consolidating its democracy as well as economic development” expressed H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya.

While UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Funmi Balogun emphasized that “The next Parliament and Government will be a key for the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda and the National Strategic Plan of Timor-Leste” and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel reiterated that “The political participation is citizens’ right to elect their leaders for the future of the country. UNDP keeps supporting on promoting inclusive and informative elections in Timor-Leste to leave no one behind”.

In cooperation with STAE, CNE, and the Government of Japan, the UNDP CORE-TL project ensures safe, informative, and inclusive elections at the national and municipal levels.