What do I want ? Politicians to conduct themselves in an a fair, honest and decent manner.

When do I want it ? At least once before I point the toes would be nice – anywhere.

The lofty ideals of an election to enable people to express themselves to express their views – well, it seems to be slipping into the mire.

Kate over at East Timor Journal has done an excellent job of describing the detail. She has been here a while and can see her way through some of the fog. She was/is an election observer who have access to polling places and to information a little more remote to those who are not observers.

What I saw of the voting was consistent with early praise made by some of the election observers. However, I was curious as to why statements of success were being made a long time before the completion of the entire voting and counting process. It implanted success thoughts a long time before everything was finished.

To be honest, I had thought that during the vote itself, there would be incidents of intimidation but I am still unaware of any reports of this occurring. Dili was crawling with observers (includes international, national and party affiliated) and it would have been near impossible to rig anything during the vote itself. I presume that the more remote areas may not have had the same level of scrutiny as was the case in Dili.

One thing I have noted based on a few conversations was that while voting may have finished at 4pm, counting of papers went on until middle or late evening but some observers had gone before that count was complete and very few stuck around for the final paperwork, sealing of ballot boxes and transporting back to district capitals. It is still true that a number of expats are still under night-time travel restrictions and it is in this sort of environment that international observers find themselves in.

Who knows where it goes from here.