The party at the heart of East Timor's struggle for independence is leading in early results from last week's historic elections in the territory, according to the United Nations' Independent Electoral Commission, quoted by the Lusaagency today.
With 20 per cent of ballots counted, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin), had garnered 48.03 per cent of the vote in Thursday's election - far short of the 85 per cent landslide predicted by party leaders.
The election was held to choose an 88-member constituent assembly that is to draft a constitution and become the national parliament by early December.
The Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT) of Xavier do Amoral was unexpectedly in second place with 15 per cent of the vote.
Founded in 1974 by Amoral and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta, the ASDT the same year gave birth to the Fretilin, but was recently revived by Amoral following a dispute with Fretilin leaders.
One of the newest movements, the Democratic Party (PD), founded by student leaders, was in third place with 9.73 per cent.
The Social Democratic Party of (PSD) of Mario Carrascalao, the former governor under Indonesian occupation, received 5.05 per cent.
Joao Carrascalao's Democratic Union of Timor was in eighth place, with 2.57 per cent.
On Saturday Mr Carrascalao said he would not accept the result of the elections whose procedures he described as "unprofessional, immature, negligent and irresponsible."
East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said he was "deeply saddened" by Mr Carrascalao's comments, comparing his attitude with that of Angola's UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi.
Preliminary results from highly populated areas such as Dili and Baucau may be released within the coming days.
Final turnout in Thursday's ballot was 91 per cent, with voters choosing from 16 parties and five independent candidates.
The poll brings the impoverished territory a crucial step closer to independence after more than four centuries of oppressive rule by foreign powers.
Voters will return to the polls early next year to elect a president, widely expected to be independence hero Xanana Gusmao. Full independence will be granted either when the president is announced or shortly after.
Portugal's colonial rule of East Timor wound down in 1974. In December 1975, nine days after East Timorese leaders declared independence, Indonesia invaded.
An estimated 200,000 East Timorese died under Jakarta's 24-year rule, which came to a violent end two years ago after a UN-organised plebiscite.
AFP