COVID-Resilient Elections in Timo-Leste (CORE-TL)

Summary

The COVID-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) Project aims to support the country in conducting COVID-resilient, informed, and inclusive elections at the national and municipal levels.

The CORE-TL Project ultimately supports the sustainable development of Timor-Leste, the achievement of Agenda 2030, and the strengthening of accessible, accountable, and gender-responsive governance systems, institutions, and services.

Background

Timor-Leste faces several development challenges despite noticeable progress since independence in 2002. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, which resulted in a national State of Emergency in 2020, now extended into 2022, resulting in substantial negative socio-economic consequences for the Timorese people.Moreover, Timor-Leste expects a series of elections at the national and municipal levels in the next three years. This not only presents a risk for the spread of the virus as people gather for the election but equally would hinder and undermine the continued practice of democracy if not conducted.

Major

Achievements

Conducted feasibility study, site assessment, and technical data collectionwith NIPPON KOEI to construct new EMB offices
Submitted a Baseline Assessment and Recommendations to theGovernment under the UNDP-IDEA partnership. Developed two handbookmanuals for the president of polling centers and the secretary of pollingstation
Procured 405,800 Face masks, 6000 Hand Sanitizers, 660 sets of PPEs,60 Gallons Disinfectants, 30 Pump Machines, 1,600 Thermometers, and2,900 gloves for the COVID-19 safety
Provided training to the journalist and media for electoral reporting withthe National Press Council, development of Journalism ReportingGuidelines, production of voter education materials, such as posters,display banners & billboards, TV/Radio programs, and PSAs
Completed a Brille literacy training with 120 people with visualimpairments in 12 municipalities, the UN Women-UNDP trainings with300 participants in Covalima and Dili, a youth event “JOVEN VOTA” with210 first-time voters in Dili
Procured 12,600 bottles of electoral ink
Development of the CNE website - candidates' profiles, programs,complaints registry, tabulation system, and Covid-19 Information

Project Outcome

The project aims to:

Support municipal EMB offices to become COVID-resilient, accessible, and green.
Address the underlying issues of long-term resilience to pandemics by developing COVID-Resilient Election Plan and Manuals
Provide effective and innovative electoral and COVID-19 awareness communication.
Strengthen the participation and representation of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in politics
Support the procurement of indelible ink.