Dili (Antara Bali) - Timor Leste's former chief of general staff of the armed forces Taur Matan Ruak won the presidential election with a comfortable margin in the second round of voting on Monday, provisional result showed.

Of the close to 73 percent of votes counted across the 13 provincial districts, Ruak won 59.91 percent or 190,061 votes. The other candidate, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres of the opposition Fretilin, won 40.09 percent.

The presidential runoff took place after none of the 12 candidates in the presidential race garnered the majority votes needed to secure a win in the first round on March 17. 

Voters headed to the polling stations before 3:00 p.m. on Monday. The voting process proceeded smoothly under the witness of international observers.

The United Nations integrated mission were also there to help maintain the order. 

The final result is expected to be announced in days if it is not challenged in court. 

The president of Timor Leste is the head of state but the center of the power structure is the prime minister in the parliamentary system.

However, the president does have veto power under certain circumstances. 

The president is elected for a term of five years. Ruak will take over from current President and Nobel peace laureate Jose Ramos-Horta on May 20.(*/M038/T007)

Pewarta:

Editor : Nyoman Budhiana


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