The 65 members of the National Parliament were elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation. A party had to cross the electoral threshold of 3% to enter parliament and seats were distributed according to the d'Hondt method.[1] Parties were required to submit lists with 65 candidates and at least 25 replacements.[1] According to the electoral law, every fourth member on a party's list had to be a woman.[1]
Alongside the two main parties, the CNRT and FRETILIN,[2] a further 19 parties and lists registered for the elections.[6] The election campaign was focussed on economic issues, particularly the question of what should be done with the country's oil fund, worth $10.5 billion.[2] The CNRT campaign pledged to increase the amount of money the fund contributed to the state budget beyond the existing 3% limit.[7] It also promised to attract foreign loans for infrastructure improvement projects,[7] promising long-term investment in roads and electricity and water supplies.[3] FRETILIN opposed the CNRT's policies on foreign loans and changes to the oil fund spending,[7] but ran a populist campaign focussing on raising levels of income and education.[3] FRETILIN general secretary Mari Alkatiri also promised to reduce corruption if elected.[2]