Legal provisions for optional referendums at national level
Timor-Leste
Constitutionof the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste
(adopted20 May 2002)
(Englishtranslation)
http://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Constitution_RDTL_ENG.pdf
Article 66.
1. Voters who are registered in the nationalterritory may be called upon to express their opinions in a referendum onissues of relevant national interest.
2. A referendum shall be called by thePresident of the Republic, following a proposal
by one third, and deliberation approved by atwo thirds majority, of the Members of
the National Parliament, or following awell-founded proposal by the Government
Matters falling under the exclusivecompetence of the Parliament, the Government
and the Courts as defined by the Constitutionshall not be the subject of a referendum.
Whilethe constitution provides for optional referendum, no specific legislation orregulations governing its conduct has been passed. No referendahas taken place in Timor-Leste since the 1999 referendum on independence,which preceded the current constitution, most laws and institutionalarrangements that are currently in place. Further regulations must be introduced topermit referenda to take place.
