East Timorese presidential election, 2002

In the first presidential elections in East Timor after the withdrawal of Indonesia on 14 April 2002, Xanana Gusmão sat against Francisco Xavier do Amaral, who raced for the Associação Social Democrata de Timor ( ASDT ), by 82.7 % of the vote. 13,768 votes ( 3.64% ) were invalid. The turnout was 82.8 %. Gusmão, the former head of FRETILIN and the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Timorense ( CNRT ), was celebrated as a national hero. After the statehood of East Timor was reached as a great goal, Gusmão wanted to retire from active politics, then turned but the many requests to continue to take a responsible position.

Amaral, who by Indonesia was the first President of East Timor prior to the occupation of the country, had declared before the election, he have no expectation to win against Gusmão. He saw it as important but to show off the strength of the East Timorese democracy by Gusmão have a rival candidate.

Gusmão remained until the end of his term in 2007 President of East Timor.