Dili – The people of East Timor this week once again displayed intense interest and enthusiasm in the democratic process as more than 80 public consultations in all districts on the final draft of the nation's Constitution often drew hundreds of people.

Members of the popularly elected Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution broke into groups last weekend and fanned out across the territory in search of feedback on the proposed legal framework. Logistical snags hampered some of the meetings, but that did not dilute the public's eagerness to participate.

While a variety of opinions were expressed, independent observers of the process found that a handful of issues were dominant concerns: the length of the consultation process; the date of independence; the role of the Catholic Church; the powers of the President; and the Assembly's transformation into the Republic's first legislature.

Many participants complained that the one-week consultation period was too short, and that they had at most a few days – and sometimes only a few hours – to digest the 168-article draft Constitution. Smaller parties in the Assembly raised similar concerns several weeks ago.

The official date of independence – 28 November 1975 – was also a source of confusion among people preparing to celebrate independence on 20 May of this year, when the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) will formally transfer all the powers to the East Timorese. Some called 28 November too partisan toward majority party FRETILIN, which declared independence from Portuguese rule on that date. Others suggested that both dates be enshrined in the Constitution.

Many participants wanted Catholicism to be declared the official religion of East Timor. While the majority of East Timorese are Catholic, the draft Constitution does not specify an official religion and calls for a separation between church and state.

Some participants wanted more political power vested in the President of the Republic, rather than the more parliamentary-style structure called for in the final draft Constitution. Still others complained that the presidential oath was not made specifically to God.

Lastly, many complained that they wanted a legislative election held soon after 20 May rather than allow the 88-member Assembly to transform itself into a fully fledged legislature.

Assembly members will summarise the comments and criticisms of the people into a report that will be presented to the full Assembly for debate on 11 March. The text of the draft will then be finalised ahead of a final vote and signing ceremony on 16 March.