Timor Leste Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta's presidential bid got a boost when the leaders of several political parties expressed support for his candidacy in the May 9 run-off election against Fretilin's Francisco Guterres ' Lu 'Olo'.

The leaders, including Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao, expressed their support for Ramos-Horta at the final campaign rally held in Dili on Sunday, the Jakarta Post daily reported on Monday.

Other figures were veteran politician Francisco Xavier do Amaral of the Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASTD), who finished fourth with almost 13 percent of the vote; Joao Carrascalao of the Democratic Timorese Party (UDT), who garnered around 3 percent of the vote during last month's first-round election; Fernando de Araujo 'Lasama' of the Democratic Party, who finished third with almost 19 percent of the vote. Several other losing candidates also sent their representatives to talk to the campaign crowd about their support for Ramos-Horta.

Guterres and Ramos-Horta are to face each other in the run-off after they finished in the first and second place in the first round with almost 29 percent and 23 percent respectively.

"I'm ready to unite Timor Leste," Horta was quoted as telling the applauding audience before discussing his platforms on education, financial reform and development.

On his education program, Ramos-Horta promised all Timor Leste people wide access to education.

"I can talk to anyone or any group. I have a good rapport with the Church, the international community and many other groups. I even have supporters from Fretilin," he told reporters after his speech.

Separately, Guterres and Fretilin held a press conference at the party's headquarters in Komoro, Dili, to close the campaign period.

Fretilin expressed its full confidence that Guterres would win the presidency.

"It is relatively easy now because there are only two candidates. Based on our achievement in the first round, we only have to add a few more votes to win the election. Beside, Ramos- Horta has conducted a dirty campaign. I think people can judge who is cleaner and decide who they will vote," political advisor to Guterres, Harold Moucho was quoted as saying.

Sunday is the last day of campaigning for both candidates. No more campaign activities will be allowed starting from Monday and until the poll on Wednesday.

The Timor Leste Election Commission (CNE) announced that it is ready for Wednesday's election.

"Learning from our experience in the first round, we have fixed many loopholes so that the second round will be better," CNE spokesman Martinho da Silva Gusmao said.

Source: Xinhua