East Timor votes for parliament as it confronts oil shortages and row with Australia

East Timor headed to the polls to elect a new parliament Saturday as Asia’s youngest democracy battles economic challenges 15 years after gaining its independence from Indonesia.

About 760,000 people are expected to cast their votes for candidates from 21 parties in the tiny half-island nation, in the first parliamentary election since the departure of UN peacekeepers in 2012.

“I am happy I can vote today because it’s important we choose the best to lead our country,” said voter Mateus Araujo.

The parliamentary election will determine the choice of prime minister for the former Portuguese colony.

The prime minister, chosen by the winning party or a coalition of parties in parliament, oversees the government and is the most influential political figure in the country.