The lights are on...albeit still with a few gaps, but they are ON! It wasn't a one off thing, it really happened and I wasn't dreaming!
And parliamentary elections are 2 days away!!
The ballot boxes have been sorted, prepared and sealed. There was a minor issue with the fact that the ballot papers are bigger than the actual boxes - seriously, they are the size of my entire arm, but with 21 parties running we knew it wouldn't be easy!
The ink has been shook, shaken, and stirred but we'll still have to remind our officials to shake them again, all day, during election day and make sure that people dip their finger right up to their cuticles - yes, these were our exact instructions!
Our officials have also been given their very bright neon pink shirts with matching purple hats - don't ask me why, I did not choose those colors.
The management team have all their STAE vests - we look very professional, Crocodile Dundee would be proud! At least now I won't have to wear everything around my neck, including my VHF radio :)
Our distribution plan is ready - I have been assigned this time to Cailaco sub-dsitrict, to the polling centers of Aituto and Raiheu, never having been there it will be an opportunity to explore some more of Bobonaro before leaving.
We are still, however, trying to figure out cars, with an additional 6 polling stations in the district and the fact that we need a lot more ballot boxes to accommodate our very big ballot papers we also need additional cars...just need to figure out from where to borrow them!
But a feeling of happiness and accomplishment is in the air. STAE team is happy... tired, but happy. Come Sunday, when the tabulation is over and the results are on their way to Dili, it will be celebration time and they are really looking forward to it, it's been a tough 6 months, but let's hope it will all be worth it.
Tomorrow we will have out distribution ceremony and in convoy, as before, we will go to each of the 87 polling stations to deliver the sensitive and non-sensitive materials along with STAE, CNE, and PNTL officials who will stay overnight, ready to open the vote at 7am on Saturday.
We are ready to rock&roll!!
Fingers crossed these elections go off smoothly, with no violence anywhere. Bobonaro is traditionally a very quiet and calm district, unlike Viqueque, Baucau, Dili and Ermera, which have already been flagged for probable violent outbursts. We have, neverthless, been told to prepare our 'Go Bag' in case of necessary emergency evacuation. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I have confidence in the Timorese people and I believe they have learnt from past mistakes. This country needs peace and tolerance. Let the best party win and let the people be happy with their decision. It is their voice in the end that will be heard.
Vota Timor, vota!
And parliamentary elections are 2 days away!!
The ballot boxes have been sorted, prepared and sealed. There was a minor issue with the fact that the ballot papers are bigger than the actual boxes - seriously, they are the size of my entire arm, but with 21 parties running we knew it wouldn't be easy!
The ink has been shook, shaken, and stirred but we'll still have to remind our officials to shake them again, all day, during election day and make sure that people dip their finger right up to their cuticles - yes, these were our exact instructions!
Our officials have also been given their very bright neon pink shirts with matching purple hats - don't ask me why, I did not choose those colors.
The management team have all their STAE vests - we look very professional, Crocodile Dundee would be proud! At least now I won't have to wear everything around my neck, including my VHF radio :)
Our distribution plan is ready - I have been assigned this time to Cailaco sub-dsitrict, to the polling centers of Aituto and Raiheu, never having been there it will be an opportunity to explore some more of Bobonaro before leaving.
We are still, however, trying to figure out cars, with an additional 6 polling stations in the district and the fact that we need a lot more ballot boxes to accommodate our very big ballot papers we also need additional cars...just need to figure out from where to borrow them!
But a feeling of happiness and accomplishment is in the air. STAE team is happy... tired, but happy. Come Sunday, when the tabulation is over and the results are on their way to Dili, it will be celebration time and they are really looking forward to it, it's been a tough 6 months, but let's hope it will all be worth it.
Tomorrow we will have out distribution ceremony and in convoy, as before, we will go to each of the 87 polling stations to deliver the sensitive and non-sensitive materials along with STAE, CNE, and PNTL officials who will stay overnight, ready to open the vote at 7am on Saturday.
We are ready to rock&roll!!
Fingers crossed these elections go off smoothly, with no violence anywhere. Bobonaro is traditionally a very quiet and calm district, unlike Viqueque, Baucau, Dili and Ermera, which have already been flagged for probable violent outbursts. We have, neverthless, been told to prepare our 'Go Bag' in case of necessary emergency evacuation. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I have confidence in the Timorese people and I believe they have learnt from past mistakes. This country needs peace and tolerance. Let the best party win and let the people be happy with their decision. It is their voice in the end that will be heard.
Vota Timor, vota!
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