IRI Hosts Timorese Leaders for Study Tour to Explore Electoral Policies

March 26, 2006

The International Republican Institute (IRI) sponsored four Timorese political party and civil society leaders to participate in a study tour to New Zealand, hosted by the New Zealand Electoral Commission. During the May 17-26 trip, Timorese leaders studied electoral practices and policies as their government drafts its first electoral law in advance of the 2007 general elections.

Participants met with representatives from election administration bodies, political parties and local government officials to discuss ways to maximize citizen participation in the electoral process. The Timorese leaders also observed an open session of Parliament during which New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark debated with parliamentarians, and a public parliament committee meeting to discuss a proposed amendment to the electoral law.

The study tour provided the opportunity for the Timorese participants to observe the operations of political parties, and how they develop issue-based politics through policy research and constituent outreach. Realizing the importance of issue-driven over personality-driven politics to pass sound electoral laws, one participant said, “If I argued with someone’s policy in Timor, they would take it as a personal insult and not a genuine attempt to make a choice that benefits all.”

Through the study tour, the participants discovered how best to develop and implement electoral laws that would promote citizen participation and positively impact the electoral process in their country.

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