Timor results possible in a week: Downer

Timor results possible in a week: Downer
10th April 2007, 11:43 WST
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=372028

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expects the results from the East Timorese presidential elections to be known within the next week or so.

The people of East Timor went to the polls on Monday to vote for a new president, their first ballot for the role since the country gained independence in 2002.

But there are suggestions the poll could require a run-off vote, with no clear winner emerging.

Despite this possibility, Mr Downer said the election had gone well.

"People voted in vast numbers," he told Adelaide radio.

"That is a great thing for East Timor."

Mr Downer said he was unsure when exactly the result of the poll may be known.

"It will be within the next week or so and then beyond that, there are parliamentary elections in the middle of the year and I think that is likely to be pretty lively as well," he said.

AAP