East Timorese vote for parliament, hoping for end to political deadlock

Electoral workers assist a man in a wheelchair to cast his ballot at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Dili, East Timor, Sunday, May 21, 2023. East Timor on Sunday held its fifth parliamentary election since gaining its independence in 2002. - AP

DILI, East Timor, May 21, 2023 (AFP): Voters in East Timor flocked to polling stations on Sunday to cast their ballot in parliamentary elections, hoping for an end to years of political deadlock in Asia's youngest country.

This is the fifth parliamentary poll since East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after a 24-year occupation, with 65 national lawmakers to be elected to a five-year mandate.