1. The President of the Republic is the Head of State and the symbol and guarantor of national independence and unity of the State and of the smooth functioning of democratic institutions. 2. The President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Force. Section 75 (Eligibility) 1. To stand as presidential candidates, East Timorese citizens should meet each of the following requirements cumulatively: a) b) c) d) original citizenship; at least 35 (Thirty -five) years of age; to be in possession of his or her full faculties; to be proposed by a minimum of five thousand voters. 2. The President of the Republic has a term of office of 5 years and shall cease his or her functions with the swearing-in of the new President-elect. 3. The President of the Republic's term of office may be renewed only once. Section 76 (Election) 1. The President of the Republic shall be elected by universal, free, direct, secret, and personal suffrage. 2. The election of the President of the Republic shall be conducted through the system based on the majority of validly expressed votes, excluding blank votes. 3. Where no candidate gets more than half of the votes, a second round shall take place on the 30th day following the first voting. 4. Only the two candidates obtaining the highest number of votes shall be eligible to stand in a run-off election, provided they have not withdrawn their candidacies. Section 77 (Inauguration and swearing-in) 1. The President of the Republic shall be sworn in by the Speaker of the National Parliament and shall be inaugurated in public ceremony before the members of the National Parliament and the representatives of the other organs of sovereignty.