Registration sites chosen in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor: The United Nation Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) has designated eight towns in the region as registration centers for the Aug. 8 direct ballot.

"UNAMET has chosen the eight towns as centers where the participants will be registered and we hope that the registration can be started soon," UNAMET spokesman David Wimhurst said here on Wednesday.

The eight towns are Dili, Baucau, Lospalos, Suai, Oecusse, Maliana, Ermera and Viqueque.

"The UN team has visited all of the towns," Wimhurst said, adding that the number of participants in the vote would not be the same as those registered for the general election.

He said UNAMET was cooperating with local religious institutions, which are believed to have accurate data on eligible voters for the direct ballot.

"Since our arrival in East Timor, UNAMET has cooperated with many institutions for the success of the vote," Wimhurst told Antara.