FROM THE FIELD: East Timor: Training Election Officials

In the run up to landmark elections held 30th August in East Timor, local election officials have benefited from a specially developed, hands-on training course which, for the first time, has been included as an integral part of a UN electoral operation.

Photo: Weda / Pressens Bild

An East Timorese woman casts her ballot as East Timorese indepence leader Xanana Gusmao (L) stands by at a polling centre in Manatuto district, 30 August 2001.

Local reports indicate high voter turnout, a low incidence of violence and widespread recognition of the professional conduct of staff both at polling stations and headquarters. In addition to election-day activities, graduates of the training course have been involved in every aspect of the elections - from voter education, to recruitment, training and administration.

The training programme, known as the Electoral Administration Course (EAC), is based on a curriculum jointly designed by the Australian Electoral Commission, International IDEA and the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD) that draws on materials developed in the Administration and Cost of Elections (ACE) project (www.aceproject.org). The initiative was financed by Australian development agency AusAID.

The EAC's aim is twofold: to provide a forum and resources for developing expertise in electoral administration; and to enhance the sustainability of electoral processes by developing the capacity of a trained corps of local professionals. In the East Timorese case, course organisers are confident that both these aims have been fulfilled and the smooth operation of the elections in an atmosphere until very recently fraught with fear and intimidation appears to confirm this view. "It's been a wonderful day", said one electoral commissioner commenting on polling day. "A terrific turnout, peaceful, great atmosphere, lots of people in their Sunday best clothes, and the East Timorese staff did an amazing job".

The last decade has witnessed a marked increase in requests from developing democracies for electoral training. The East Timorese example demonstrates that investment in the building of a strong and stable electoral administration capacity within a country reaps rewards in the form of well-run elections. "A professional and well-trained staff is a prerequisite for well-run elections. The conduct of the East Timorese election officials shows that investments in people are the best investments that the donor community can make in the electoral field. International IDEA is proud to have played a part in this through its contribution to the core curriculum used in training staff in the runup to the elections", says International IDEA Senior Programme Officer Therese Laanela.

Countries holding their first free elections - often in the aftermath of violent conflict - are an area of particular focus in electoral assistance. The East Timorese elections, which are being organized by the Independent Electoral Commission set up under the auspices of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) that has administered the territory since it voted for independence from Indonesia in a referendum held in August 1999, are the latest in a series of such polls, in this case being held directly under international auspices.