Teresinha Maria Noronha Cardozo, a Timor Leste National Election Commissioner, joined the ANFREL observation team in zone 7 under the care by ANFREL's local partner in Thailand, P-Net. The very strong P-Net observation team in Chumphon seems to have had some impact, as there have till now been no reports of serious electoral problems and no election-related violence.

Despite her soft manner and gentle looks, Teresinha (her name means ‘red') is a strong mother of 4 children who lives in Dili, the capital city of Timor Leste (East Timor).  She has been the chair of the Women's Political Caucus in Timor Leste and is considered a close confidant to Xanana Gusmao since Timor Leste became independent.  There is no doubt about her clear understanding of women's rights and human rights, and she has been fighting for a female quota in parliament and the rights of equal opportunity for Timorese women.  She has also campaigned in rural areas to encourage women to contest elections for village committees.

"It would be good if Thailand adopted the idea of a female quota because it will give women an opportunity to use their ability in politics.  We should accept some initial imperfections when women get into politics but it is a valuable investment for female politicians to work hand in hand with their male counterparts for democracy", stressed Teresinha.

Timorese people seem to have got used to a female quota with about 30 percent of seats in parliament allocated to females in a closed proportional electoral system after the parliamentary elections in June 2007. A female president is expected in the future, and there was a single female candidate for the April 2007 Presidential election.

Timorese law mandates civil society participation in the Election Commission.  An election commission (CNE) of 15 commissioners must work with an administrative body called STAE which has only one Secretary General.  These two bodies provide much-needed checks and balances between each other.  In respect to gender, the CNE now has 5 female commissioners.

Thanking ANFREL for the invitation and for the opportunity to observe the Thai elections, even with all the drawbacks of her not-so-strong English language skills, Teresinha is glad to be part of the mission which gives her the opportunity to observe and learn about a different and new election system and process.  "I am very glad for the opportunity, it allows me to learn and understand Thailand well. However, I hope in the future to see a female quota for the Thai parliament and also civil society representatives participating in the Election Commission", she concluded with a smile.  

Teresinha Maria Noronha Cardoso (Election Commissioner from East Timor)

Date of Birth: Bobonaro, 29 October 1965

Educational Background: Bachelor's Degree, Government Academy

Profession: Director of Women's Political Caucus in Timor Leste

Responsibility in CNE: Candidate Selection Division