East Timor's Ramos-Horta makes pitch for stability ahead of election

FILE PHOTO: Former East Timor's leader and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, who is the presidential candidate of East Timor, salutes during a campaign rally ahead of the country's presidential election, 20 years after its independence from Indonesia, in Dili, East Timor, March 15, 2022. REUTERS/Lirio da Fonseca

The frontrunner in East Timor's presidential election, independence figure and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, has said he hopes to restore political stability to Asia's youngest democracy, as the nation prepares to head to the polls.

East Timor will hold its fifth presidential election on Saturday since gaining independence, after a campaign also focused on economic security and jobs.