Avelinho Coelho, the secretary-general of the Timor Socialist Party (PST) said the Constituent Assembly to be formed after the 30 August election must not be structured like the now-dissolved National Council.

He said under the NC, it was UNTAET which was actually holding power rather than the people. "The regulations that were passed in the NC reflected the needs of the administration and not that of the people. These regulations did not take into account actual realities," said Avelino.

Avelino, a former NC member, said he did not want to be nominated as a candidate for the Constituent Assembly because he was wary it might be like the National Council. "I do not want to be in a so-called legislative body where I will be used as a rubber-stamp and cannot perform my duties as a people's representative," he added.

Though Avelino said he was not a candidate, he, however, would support other PST candidates to the Constituent Assembly. He said PST would begin organizing labourers and farmers because they were the most downtrodden in the country.