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Losing E Timor candidates back Ramos Horta for president

Agence France Presse

April 21, 2007

ETimor court confirms election results

DILI, April 21 2007

An East Timorese appeal court Saturday confirmed the final results of the nation's April 9 presidential election.

Appeal court head Claudio Ximenes announced that the results of the ballot were final, with Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco Guterres to contest a runoff next month.

Results from the polls, first announced on Wednesday, had been delayed after a technical error was discovered and also because of concerns of irregularities.

Three losing candidates appealed on Thursday, further delaying official confirmation of the final results.

Voter turnout in the April 9 poll was high and Timorese are hoping the election stalemate will not plunge the impoverished nation into more turmoil and bloodshed.

The runoff for the largely ceremonial post is due to be held on May 8.

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Last Update: Saturday, April 21, 2007. 6:43pm (AEST)

Losing E Timor candidates back Ramos Horta for president

In East Timor, two of the losing parties from the first round of presidential voting have thrown their support behind Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta.

Between them the two candidates received about a quarter of the votes in the first ballot.

They have now signed up to back Dr Ramos Horta's campaign for the presidency.

An East Timorese appeal court today confirmed the final results of the nation's April 9 presidential election.

Appeal court head Claudio Ximenes announced that the results of the ballot were final, with Dr Ramos Horta and the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco Guterres, known as Lu Olo, to contest a run-off next month.

-ABC/AFP