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East Timor was granted a proper official Constitution just before the country was about to attain status as the new republic of the world in 2002. The Constitution was ratified and adopted as the nation's written document, with rules and regulations for governing the country, by the 88 members of the Constituent Assembly. However, since the Fretilin party held the majority of seats in the newly formed parliament, therefore, Fretilin also contributed the most to the drafting of the Constitution. The first Constitution of the country of Timor Leste came into being on 22nd March in the year 2002, after 6 months of discussions by the members of the constituent Assembly, and finally was born the Constitution of Timor Leste which contained 170 articles and was approved by a role call.
It is stated in the new Constitution of Timor Leste that it is the president who is the 'Head of State' but the real political powers lay in the hands of the Prime Minister who is strictly defined as the 'Head of government'. The East Timor Constitution consists of a Preamble and the main body of the Constitution is divided into 7 parts. The Preamble talks about the unlimited contribution of the people of East Timor in the battle to free the country from foreign clutches and offers respect to its martyrs.
The Preamble to the Constitution further states about the need to build a country based on constitutional lines and republican rules. Part I of the constitution states the fundamental principles, Part II; the fundamental rights, duties, freedoms and guarantees, Part III; states the organization of political power in the country of East Timor, Part IV talks about the economic and financial institutions in the country, Part V talks about the rules that govern national defense and security, Part VI talks on the rules and regulations along which the Constitution may be revised and Part VII talks about final and transitional provisions.
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