The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) will dispatch 2,800 officers to help maintain security during the general election process.
The Second General Commander of the PNTL, Commissioner Faustino da Costa, said police had already started identifying voting centers, particularly in rural areas where transport access is difficult, in case of any issues.
“They (communities) should give us information so that we can anticipate (any problems) and ensure the security (situation),” he said.
As part of preparations, he said police would be coordinating with the National Election Commission (CNE) and the Secretariat for Technical and Electoral Administration (STAE) to provide information to police officers in the sukus (villages).
He said the PNTL had submitted a proposal to the government to help facilitate police to do their work at a grassroots level.
“Police need a lot of uniforms, equipment, tear gas, batons and radio communication,” he said.
He said the reason the PNTL was increasing its presence during the election was because of the high number of political parties and to help maintain security until the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, national MP Anna Ribeiro said the PNTL had an important role in ensuring the country’s election process was successful.
“They must be prepared so that the country’s security can run well,” she said.
The National Parliament recently approved funding for the Interior Ministry to help meet the needs of the PNTL.
“We have a budget and we have allocated it because we consider this important,” she said.
