The President of the National Election Committee, AlcinoBarris, led the warning, saying planned disruption or boycotting of any political party or independent candidate would not be tolerated.

“For those who boycott this electoral campaign they can expect two year prison sentence or a fine,” Barris told the Independente on Monday. Political campaigning is officially underway, running from March 3-17.

News that a particular political party or candidate may refuse to run in the election and urges its supporters to boycott the March 20 president election remain strong according to informed sources.

Boycotting can be used as a form of political protest where voters feel that electoral fraud is likely, or that the electoral system is biased against its candidate.

Barris said political parties and presidential candidates had been asked to submit proposed election activities 72 hours before they took place to ensure suitable police presence.

The warning comes as César Valente ‘Piloto’ called on presidential candidates to promote peace and stability amid their constituents.

Addressing national parliament on Monday, Piloto called on candidates to fulfill their “civic” responsibility and educate militants known to support their party to maintain peace.

Timor-Leste’s presidential election will be held on March 20, with a potential second round of voting in April, before the parliamentary election in July.

 The eight candidates vying for the top seat include: Amorim Vieira (Independent), Angela Freitas (labour Party),  Antonio da Conceição (Democratic Party), Antonio Maher Lopes (Socialist Party of Timor), Francisco Guterres ‘Lu-Olo’ (FRETILIN), Jose Luis Guterres (Frenti-Mudance), Luis AlvesTilman (Independent), and Jose Antonio de Jesus das Neves Independent).