8 May 2007
New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be patrolling the streets of Dili tomorrow as the local population heads to the polls to appoint a new President for Timor Leste.
Earlier today Royal New Zealand Air Force Helicopters currently deployed to the tiny nation assisted with the delivery of ballot boxes and voting screens to the outlying Maliana and Viqueque regions.
The first round of elections, held in early April, were conducted peacefully and the New Zealand Senior National Officer Colonel Paul Van Den Broek hopes voting tomorrow follows the same pattern.
“We largely expect tomorrow’s elections to pass without incident, however we are ready to respond to unrest anywhere in our area of operations should we be required.”
New Zealand Defence Force personnel will conduct presence patrols throughout Dili during the voting, and Air Force helicopters will be used to collect ballot boxes from outlying areas once polling closes. Security at polling booths will be provided by United Nations police in conjunction with local security forces.
ENDS
For further information please contact Captain Rachel Riley, Defence Public Relations, on 04 529 6031 or 021 806 926.