Fretilin Party Tops Vote Tally in East Timor DistrictsFretilin, the largest party in East Timor, gained the most votes in 11 out of 13 districts which have finished the vote counting, according to reports reaching in Jakarta Wednesday.With results from 12 of East Timor's 13 electoral districts, Fretilin won 11 district seats and about 50 percent of the national votes. Final results are expected to be announced on Thursday. Sixteen political parties are vying for 88 seats in the Constituent Assembly that will have 90 days to write and adopt a constitution for an independent and democratic East Timor. The single chamber assembly will comprise 75 popularly elected legislators from East Timor and one each from the 13 districts. Fretilin, which was established in 1974, played a key role of struggle for East Timor's independence from Indonesia. The election was a key step in preparing East Timor for an independence state after centuries under Portuguese rule and 23 years occupation by Indonesia. East Timor is now administered by the United Nations up to the next six or eight months until the independence state is formed. |
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