East Timor elections free and fair as Ramos-Horta bows out

East Timor incumbent president, Jose Ramos-Horta, has failed in his bid for re-election, with his former key rival, Fretilin’s Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres, and former armed forces commander Taur Matan Ruak, who is supported by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, going through to the second electoral round.

Ramos-Horta had vacillated over whether he would re-contest the presidency throughout 2011 and his decision to run again surprised many. The outcome of the first presidential round, however, has conformed to expectations, reflecting the pull of the major political parties as well as Ramos-Horta’s public standing.