Are you interested in observing Timor's 2012 elections? Let us know.

ETAN wants to know if you and others are interested in being involved in an international solidarity election observation delegation to Timor-Leste next year. Presidential and parliamentary elections are planned for the first half of 2012. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering your time as an observer. Do you have experience and knowledge about Timor-Leste from your solidarity work -- or perhaps past election observing in Timor-Leste -- that provide the longer-view perspective that effective election monitoring requires?

ETAN has not yet decided whether we will organize an observer delegation for next year. Your response will help us with this decision. We want  if you might be interested in being involved, what your experience is, and what kind of time and resource commitments individuals and organizations might be able to offer to this effort. The prospects for financial support also will be an important consideration.

Timor-Leste NGOs are currently focusing on women's participation - especially as potential candidates - and the role of youth. The National NGO Forum has told us it may support international participation in the electoral process and has indicated it is looking for guidance on how to engage in the larger process, not just election day observation.

If you are interested, we very much want to hear your response to the following questions:

• Are you interested in volunteering your time for a minimum of three weeks, but ideally longer, for this purpose?
• Do you have experience and knowledge about Timor-Leste from your solidarity work, and perhaps past election observing in Timor-Leste, that would help you to offer the longer-view perspective that effective election monitoring requires?

We know that elections are but a small piece in the picture. Too often, democracy is narrowly and exclusively equated with elections. That said, many Timorese colleagues have expressed the need for international observers to assist the still new country in having fair and honest elections next year.

ETAN members have observed every election since 1999. During the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections, we played a major role in organizing for Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET), supporting 48 volunteers from 10 different countries. SOMET volunteers observed pre-election campaigning, election day voting, vote counting, and its aftermath. SOMET participated in a joint press conference after the election with several Timorese organizations.

If you are interested in being involved, should a delegation be organized, please let us know by e-mailing etan@etan.org.  Please share this email with others who might be interested in being involved. The more information we get now from those interested, the sooner we can plan and make a decision.

In solidarity, 

ETAN