UNDP Support for the Timorese Electoral Cycle

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Timor-Leste’s presidential and legislative elections in 2007 were the first national post-independence elections organized by the Timorese and as such represented an important step in the consolidation of democracy in the country. The next parliamentary elections are to be held in July 2012. The UNDP Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle project, using an Electoral Cycle Approach, supports the capacity development of the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in Timor-Leste: The Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) and the National Commission on Elections (CNE) and the political parties. Based on the lessons learned from electoral support in Timor-Leste and in view of the need to further strengthen the human and institutional capacity of the national electoral management bodies and political parties, the project provides selected assistance in priority areas throughout the preparation and implementation of upcoming parliamentary elections. The activities are 1) advisory support for the STAE and CNE, including expert and technical assistance in the pre-electoral period and individual mentoring in the post-electoral period and 2) support to voter and civic education in designing and producing a comprehensive range of voter and civic education campaigns. The project activities cover all the districts of Timor-Leste and the duration of the project is from July to December 2012.