Thousands of security guards to secure poll amid fears of tension in E Timor

Nearly 5,000 policemen would be deployed to secure Monday's presidential election in East Timor, amid worries that the result of the poll could draw tension in the fledgling nation, the U.N police chief and foreign observers have said.

U.N. police commissioner Rodolfo Tor said that over 1,645 policemen from the United Nations were to support the existing number of 3,000 East Timor's police in securing the voting activities in more than 500 polling stations in the country.

In addition, hundreds of other international forces such as those from New Zealand were also ready to give their supports in matters of security problem, he told a press conference here Saturday.

The U.N. Deputy Police Commissioner for Operation and Task Force Commander for Election Hermanprit said that over 200 people involved in violence had been arrested during the last 15 days of campaign.

Separately, an international observer from Australia, Peter Westmore, told Xinhua tension may arise should the leading party Fretelin can not get more than a half of the total about 500,000 votes in the country.

On Saturday, one of the eight presidential candidates Jose Ramos Horta revealed that he had found intimidation by some activists of rival of Fretelin to force people to give their support in the election.

The observer said that during the campaign some supporters of Fretelin attacked supporters of two other political parties.

"I think there is a real danger,"he said.

Westmore said that although the result of the election would be announced long after the voting, the result could be known by the parties as the count of the vote would take place at Monday midnight and tension were feared afterwards.

More than 500,000 voters are to pick up their new president on April 9 to lead the country which had long under the Indonesian government. East Timor got its independence in 2002.

If no one gains more than half of the total votes on the first round, a run-off will be conducted.

The incumbent President Xanana Gusmao is not running for re- election but plans to seek the more powerful post of prime minister in separate parliamentary elections later this year.

The presidential post of the tiny nation is largely ceremonial in a parliamentary government but many hope the winner will bring unity to the nation beset by regional rivalry, rebellious security forces and disillusionment among citizens five years after the joyous celebrations of independence.

Source: Xinhua