Timor Leste
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
- Republic
- Presidential system
- Number of Chambers (Unicameral /
Bicameral) and their tenure
: Unicameral. 5 years.
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
1,201,542
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
14,874㎢
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
645,624
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-12-06
| Eligible by number of seats won | |
| - National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) | |
| - Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) | |
| - Democratic Party (PD) | |
| - National Reconstruction Front of Timor-Leste (FRENTL) | |
| Eligible by popular votes won | |
| - Timor National Unity Better Growing Party | |
| - Social Party of Timor | |
| - Social Democratic Party | |
| - National Development Party | |
| - Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT) | |
| - National Unity of Timorese Resistance (UNDERTIM) | |
| - Timorese Democratic Union | |
Number of registered political parties-References:
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 17 years old.
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 President, Prime minister, National assembly.
Elected Offices-References:
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Prime minister: The Prime Minister is appointed by the
president.
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
-President: The President
is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a
5-year term.
-National Parliament: In the
National Parliament 65 members are elected through a closed-list proportional
representation system to serve 5-year terms.
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Elections for National Parliament.
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 July 7, 2012.
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
| **Eligible by number of seats won | |
| - National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) | |
| - Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) | |
| - Democratic Party (PD) | |
| - National Reconstruction Front of Timor-Leste (FRENTL) | |
| **Eligible by popular votes won | |
| - Timor National Unity Better Growing Party | |
| - Social Party of Timor | |
| - Social Democratic Party | |
| - National Development Party | |
| - Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT) | |
| - National Unity of Timorese Resistance (UNDERTIM) | |
| - Timorese Democratic Union | |
Political parties in the elections-References:
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 65
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
78.73%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 482,792
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation - Regulations or administrative rules
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08 Constitution, art. 66, 85 (f), 95 (3-k), 115 (2-d), 156 (2):
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Provisions regarding the republican form of government and the National Flag may be reviewed through a national referendum. Voters who are registered in the national territory may be called upon to express their opinions in a referendum on issues of relevant national interest.
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30
Timor-Leste's National Electoral Commission (CNE)
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Electoral administration bodies shall
exercise functions relating to all electoral acts pertaining to organs of
sovereignty, referenda, or local government.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Mixed. Supervision of voters’ registration
and electoral acts shall be in charge of an independent body. The electoral
administration bodies are: (a) The National Electoral Commission, hereinafter
referred to as “CNE”; (b) The Technical Secretariat for Electoral
Administration. CNE shall be independent from any bodies of the central or
local political power and shall enjoy financial, administrative and
organizational autonomy. Members of CNE cannot be removed from office and shall
be independent in the exercise of their mandate. The structure, organization,
composition, powers and functioning of STAE shall be defined by law, as a
service of indirect State administration, under the aegis of and supervised by
the Government, with its own budget and enjoying technical and administrative
autonomy.
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
CNE shall be supported by a permanent secretariat and shall have its own budget integrated in the State Budget, pursuant to the law.
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13
Other - CNE shall be supported by a permanent secretariat and shall have its own budget integrated in the State Budget, pursuant to the law.
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 Fifteen members.
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Members of CNE shall have a six-year term and shall only have a maximum of two terms in office.
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
a) Three members appointed by the President of the Republic; b) Three members
elected by the National Parliament; c) Three members appointed by the
Government; d) One judicial magistrate elected by his or her peers; e) One
public prosecution magistrate elected by his or her peers; f) One public
defender elected by his or her peers; g) One nominated by the Catholic Church;
h) One nominated by the remaining religious faiths; i) One representative of
women organizations.
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-12-20 N/A
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-12-20
into thirteen administrative municipalities (former districts).The municipalities are divided into administrative posts (former subdistricts), and further subdivided into sucos.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08
existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used. There shall be only one single constituency in the election of the National Parliament, corresponding to the entire national territory, headquartered in Dili.
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28
N/A
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 N/A
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Minimum number of candidates - Other
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Nomination by political parties
- Self nomination (independents)
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08
- Requirement
Age
Citizenship
Registration
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-06 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 A continuous register (voter data is continuously collected and d between electoral events)
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08 Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08 Election Management Body
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Special counting centres
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box - Number of ballots reconciled against ballots initially received (minus spoilt and unused) - Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate - Counted by hand - Other
Counting Procedures-References:
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 By request
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08 Outside the country voting is not permitted
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 legislative elections
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 2-3 days
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-08 Judiciary - EMB
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28
Lawon the Election of the National Parliament Chapter VI Tabulation of Results p.15
Article 49Appeals
1. Appeals against the provisional tabulation of the national results published by CNE shall be filed within twenty-four hours of their posting with the plenary ofS TJ, which shall immediately notify the interested parties and make a decisionwithin the same time limit.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-06 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-11-01
Annual public funding is provided to Parliamentary parties, administered by EMB, with amount set by Parliament
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-01
Fines
Prison
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-11-01
EMB
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-01
N/A
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-06 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 Female Population: 565,391 (2012)
· Is Timor-Leste a signatory to CEDAW: No
· Has Timor-Leste ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (16 April 2003)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 25 (following the 2012 elections)
· Human Development Index Position: 133 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: High (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 Is Timor-Leste a signatory to CRPD: No
· Has Timor-Leste ratified CRPD: No
· Population with a disability: 172,343 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
Several civil society organizations offered voter education programs specifically targeted at women. In addition, CNE adopted the innovative approach of informing voters by SMS about such matters as their right to file complaints and the prohibition on further campaigning during the two days leading up to the election.
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-06 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28 Following an invitation from the government of Timor-Leste to observe the Parliamentary Election on 7 July 2012, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) was deployed on 26 May and remained in the country until 24 July. The Mission, led by Ms Fiona Hall, Member of the European Parliament, deployed 70 observers from 26 European Union member states, as well as from Norway and Switzerland, throughout the 13 districts of the country. Its task was to assess the electoral process in the light of international standards and the laws of Timor-Leste, in accordance with the EU methodology and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in October 2005.
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03