Timor-Leste Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo (center) officially opens the new National Election Commission building in Dili on Jan.20. (Photo by Thomas Ora)
As Timor-Leste prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections, Catholics hope for a greater church say in state affairs.
Some 730,000 people — more than half the 1.2 million population — will vote in the country's presidential election on March 20 and parliamentary elections in July.
The country's current president, Taur Matan Ruak, is not seeking a new term.
Marcal Evaristo, a lay leader in Dili Diocese, said that next president should be someone who can extend church-state relations beyond formal ties and development issues.
Church and state relations should not just be about infrastructure, which is only temporary, but more importantly about the implementation of church teachings in people's daily life, through laws, according to Evaristo.
"I hope the church will be involved in the creation of laws that affect people's lives," he said.
Marcelino Cali, a seminary teacher in Dili, said the next president — and also members of parliament — should act as role models for Timor-Leste people — 97 percent of whom are Catholics.
"I hope for an honest president, an individual with integrity," he told ucanews.com.
As the country's democracy grows, the president, parliamentarians, and political leaders must foster values and undertake efforts towards the political education of the people, he said.
Meanwhile, Maximiano Hugo, 18, said he will vote for a presidential candidate who will work toward improving the country's education system.
"The next president should pay attention to the education of children from poor families," said Hugo who will vote for the first time in an election.
Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili called for peaceful and fair polls noting that past Timor-Leste elections were difficult times for the country. He urged people to maintain unity and harmony during the upcoming elections.
"Let's all uphold the principles of freedom, love and justice which will determine a successful election," he said.
So far five candidates have officially declared their intention to run in the presidential race culminating in the election scheduled for March 20. Candidates have until Feb. 5 to register their candidacy. The official announcement of who is standing will be made Feb. 18.
Of the candidates registered so far, former parliament chairman Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo is seen as the frontrunner. The Fretelin Party chairman has the backing of the country's first president Xanana Gusmao.