Veterans face off in final round of East Timor presidential poll

Jose Ramos-Horta seems to have edge over Francisco ‘Lu Olo’ Guterres, but Asia’s youngest nation wants to move beyond old rivalries. Voting in the second and final round of presidential elections in East Timor – officially known as Timor-Leste – has closed, with the region’s newest nation facing a generational crossroads. “The current candidates in the runoff election are old faces in Timor-Leste’s politics,” researcher Abrao Pereira, 35, told Al Jazeera. A power struggle has been at the centre stage and if this is the political situation moving forward I don’t see a better future for the children of this country.” “The key political leaders need to understand that what they are doing is not only impacting what is happening at the moment but will have long term impacts on the generations to come.” Ramos-Horta has campaigned on bringing stability to the government and hinted that he could call early parliamentary elections if he wins. “Hopefully whoever wins this time they will go with the plan and whatever they have promised to the people of Timor-Leste and whoever wins leads this nation for a better future.” The incoming president will be installed on May 20, the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s freedom from Indonesia.