Timor-Leste

Population Statistics

1,231,116

Total Population

184,667

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

09 May 2022

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Law on the Election of the National Parliament (2006, amended 2017)

Updated: October 2018

Article 34, section 2 states:

Only national citizens who can read and write may be electoral officers, and they shall be selected from among local voters and submitted to a preliminary training by STAE.

 

Excerpt from the Law on the Election of the National Parliament (2006, last amended 2017)

Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (2002)

Updated: June 2015

Section 21 states:

(1) A disabled citizen shall enjoy the same rights and shall be subject to the same duties as all other citizens, except for the rights and duties which he or she is unable to exercise or fulfil due to his or her disability.

(2) The State shall promote the protection of disabled citizens as may be practicable and in accordance with the law.

 

Section 75, subsection 1 states:

(1) To stand as presidential candidates, East Timorese citizens should meet each of the following requirements cumulatively:...(c) to be in possession of his or her full faculties...

 

Section 82 states:

(1) In case of death, resignation or permanent disability of the President of the Republic, his or her functions shall be taken over on an interim basis by the Speaker of the National Parliament, who shall be sworn in by the Speaker a.i. of the National Parliament before the Members of the National Parliament and representatives of the organs of sovereignty.

(2) Permanent disability shall be declared by the Supreme Court of Justice, which shall also have the responsibility to confirm the death of the President of the Republic and the vacancy of office resulting therefrom...

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (2002)

Law on the Election of the President of the Republic (2006, last amended 2011)

Updated: June 2015

Article 5 states:

The following are not granted active electoral capacity: (a) Individuals judicially disabled due to a sentence imposed by a court of law; (b) Individuals clearly and publicly known as mentally ill even where they are not judicially disabled.

 

Article 6 states:

To stand as presidential candidates, Timorese citizens should meet the following requirements cumulatively:

(a) original citizenship;

(b) at least thirty-five years of age;

(c) to be in possession of his or her full faculties.

 

Article 14 states:

In case of death, resignation, permanent disability, or destitution of the President of the Republic, the election shall be held within the 90 days following the verification or declaration thereof.

 

Excerpts from the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic (2006, last amended 2011)