Timor-Leste: National Parliament, 22 July 2017

At stake in this election:

• 65 seats in the Timorese National Parliament (Parlamento Nacional)

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Francisco GUTERRES (since 20 May 2017)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO - formerly Jose Alexandre GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007)
• Assembly: Unicameral National Parliament (Parlamento Nacional) with 65 seats

Description of electoral system:

• Members of the National Parliament (Parlamento Nacional) are directly elected to 5-year terms by a proportional representation vote.

Last Election:

• The last parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste occurred in 2012. The National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction won 30 seats, which was the greatest share. No party won an outright majority.

Main candidates in the election:

• Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste / Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente
  • Leader: Francisco "Lu-Olo" GUTERRES
  • Seats won in last election: 25
• National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction / Congresso Nacional de Reconstrução de Timor
  • Leader: Vacant
  • Seats won in last election: 30
• People’s Liberation Party / Partidu Libertasaun Popular
  • Leader: Taur Matan RUAK
  • Seats won in last election: 0
• Timorese Democratic Party / Partido Democrático
  • Leader: Fernando "Lasama" de ARAUJO
  • Seats won in last election: 8
• Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan
  • Leader: Vacant
  • Seats won in last election: 0

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 1,291,358 (July 2017 est.)
• Registered Voters: 760,907

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 628,865 (July 2016)
• 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: 21
• Human Development Index Position: 128
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: High

Disability Data:

• Is Timor-Leste a signatory to CRPD: No
• Has Timor-Leste ratified CRPD: No
• Population with a disability: 184,667