23/03/2017 (Agence Europe) – In her preliminary conclusions on Wednesday 22 March, the chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica MEP (ALDE, Spain) said that the presidential elections in East Timor on 20 March had taken place peacefully and that large numbers of the people had turned out to vote. She commended the electoral authorities for "delivering a well-administered and inclusive process" – the first organised without UN assistance (see EUROPE 11725). The provisional results pointed to the victory of Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo. The definitive results will be announced on 2 April. "We were impressed by the people's strong commitment despite the logistical and financial difficulties some of them faced", stated Ana Gomes MEP (S&D, Portugal), who had taken part in the EU EOM. (AN)