Amid the high tension in Dili, the capital of East Timor, troops were stationed throughout the city. Tens of thousands of East Timor residents have fled into the territory's jungles and mountains recently to escape the violence. The United Nations blames most of the violence on groups opposed to independence. Some human rights groups warn that despite the U.N. presence, Monday's vote may not be free and fair with so many people living in fear away from their homes. London-based Amnesty International said it feared many East Timorese would be unable to vote, or could do so only at great risk.
Voting rules require casting ballots where voters originally registered.
Independence leader Jose Alexandre Gusmao, known as Xanana, called on Friday for an armed peacekeeping force to quell the escalating violence. Speaking while under house arrest in Jakarta, the former guerrilla leader told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio on Friday that the Indonesian government was deliberately allowing militia groups to heighten tension to intimidate separatist groups. If independence is the winning option, Indonesia has promised to annul its annexation of East Timor. The United Nations would then help place the territory on the road to self-rule. U.N. officials insist the vote proceed on schedule despite the violence that has marred the campaign.