Post Archive

Region: The Thaecian Senate

History

Thank you for sponsoring me Mr Chairman.

I am sorry for this timing but I had exams today and went outside with friends after, therefore couldn't post on the senate.

Senator Titanne, Senator Levantx, I personally think you are wrong. First, I follow Senator and Chairman Cerdenia on the fact that this solution is a simple one. Justices don't have term limits, this is why I only see a temporary replacement as the best option except in the case where a Justice fall into inactivity for a big time period, meaning that this justice will have to be impeached as said by Article III Section I Sub-section V of the second Thaecian Constitution: "Justices have no term limits and their tenures end when they are impeached or resign.".

Secondly, I oppose Titanne's about the fact that a Deputy Justice won't have any experience. I talked with Developing World about this bill and this title, and he asked me something on which I totally agree: Deputy Justices should act as interns or even advisers to see how the Thaecian Court functions, in other words, we can prepare the possible tomorrow Thaecian Justices. Plus, Deputy Justices will also have to pass a hearing in the Senate, which means that you, Senators, can ask the same question or even more that what was asked to us, actual Justices.

Finally, the government won't intervene in judicial proceedings as Justices will themselves choose Deputy Justices that will have to pass the same 'test' that we passed.

Cerdenia

Deputy Justice Act - S.B. 017 - Passed

Author: Islonia

Sponsor: Cerdenia

[spoiler=Preamble]

Justices can be inactive or unable to approach a case. To ensure that the Thaecian High Court will still be functioning during these times, we will need individuals who can replace the justices. [/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article 1 : Inability]

A justice may be unable to approach a case if he/she is biased (either by being one person touched by the affair or being the one targeted), if he/she is inactive for one week after a case was submitted or if the justice announced that he/she won't be able to approach the case or that he/she won't be active for a given time.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article 2 : Deputy Justice]

A deputy justice will be the replacement of a justice if one of them is unable to approach a case. He will be nominated by the three justice and will pass a hearing in the senate that will confirm or not their function. One deputy justice will take a justice's place in one of the situation written below.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article 3 : Associate Justice's inability]

If an associate justice is unable to approach a case, he will be replaced by one of the deputy justice.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article 4 : Chief Justice's inability]

If the chief justice is unable to approach a case, he will be replaced by one of the associate justices. The associate justice that will replace the chief justice will be replaced by one of the deputy justice.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article 5 : Nomination]

The Deputy Justice will be nominated by the Justices and will have to be confirmed by half the Senate's members.[/spoiler]

______________________________________________________________________________________

Aye: Cerdenia (PPT), Greater Conexus (TSP)[2]

Nay: Levantx (TPU), Titanne (TPU) [2]

Abstain: Albianis (TPU) [1]

______________________________________________________________________________________

With 2 ayes, 2 nays and 1 abstention, S.B. 017 hereby passes.

Wait Mr Chairman! How did this pass without a majority?

Funny enough, the constitution mandates 50% of support for a bill to pass rather then 50% + 1, what this means is that a bill could pass without having majority support in a chamber. Now I must admit, this is a terrible system, I remember trying to amend it in the convention however something which I do not remember anymore convinced me not to. Either way this definetly needs to change, I support this bill but knowing it passed without a majority really bothers me.

Cerdenia,

Captain of the Pirate Party of Thaecia

Chairman of the Senate

Deputy Prime Minister

Senator

Levantx, Islonia, Titanne, Greater Conexus

Now I must admit we had more time left before the Senate elections then I was expecting, so we may consider another bill before final statements from this term and then recess.

Statement of the Chairman of the Senate

Fellow Senators, I would like to announce that as per L.R. 006 article XII, I will be calling recess, as the Senate elections come closer. I will be doing this early as I don't believe this Senate has any piece of legislation which should be adressed immediately, and also because the House of Commons has about 6 S.B.s they will need to vote on right at their opening, and I want to give them time to do so without filling them up again. I was also thinking that we could be calling this recess early in order for Senators seeking reelection to have more time to campaign, without having to constantly worry about debating and voting on every single bill.

So in conclusion, I hereby declare the Senate to be in recess until the end of the next Senate Elections, and the inauguration of a new Senate. The closing statement of this term shall be coming soon.

[Spoiler=Senators]

Cerdenia (PPT)

Levantx (TPU)

Titanne (TPU)

Albianis (TPU)

Greater Conexus (TSP)[/spoiler]

Cerdenia,

Captain of the Pirate Party of Thaecia

Chairman of the Senate

Deputy Prime Minister

Senator

Levantx, Duras

Motion For Snap Election in the Senate - Voting

As per Article IX, Section II of the Constitution of Thaecia, I hereby initiate the vote required to call for a Snap Election in the Senate of Thaecia. For anyone wondering, I have checked the official July 2019 General Election timetable, published by the Electoral Commisioner, and the timetable states very clearly that the inauguration is on July 16th, at 9 PM (I am assuming BST), which should be about 24~ hours from now. Therefore I am legally still Chairman of this chamber, and no coalition breaking can change this considering that upon the passage of the new constituiton, the Chairman and Speaker of both chambers are elected. On my case I got the post before the passage of the new constitution (through the old coalition based system), and halfway through my term the system changed, which means simply stating that the coalition is broken shouldn't remove me from my position (a motion of no confidence would be required, and I doubt anyone will pass one of those within 23 hours).

More information about timetable: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AoOGY9FD67w89J23pzcHcfe0tEpbOQIWI5Xq4GnwWZU/edit#gid=0

Now that I explained the legal basis for this, let me go through why I am doing this. Following the recent events which occured during the July 2019 Thaecian Senate elections, the elections were honestly ruined. Accusations being thrown from one side to the other, insults, calls for bans and just in general just a lot of toxicity. Honestly people, this elections were ruined and both the two top performing parties are to be blamed by this. It is for this reason that I am going to try this risky move out, I am not going to coalition with either of those parties following what happened (which would in turn cause a snap election either way considering that it appears we might just have gotten a hung senate). I encourage all of you to vote in favour of this motion so that we can have new elections, debating serious issues that this region faces, rather then having the toxic discussions we had. I am confident I will get this motion through, and if I don't well then I challenge the TRP and TPU to coalition with each other, considering I am not giving my support to either.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Aye: Cerdenia (PPT)[1]

Nay: [0]

Abstain: [0]

______________________________________________________________________________________

[Spoiler=Senators Yet to Vote (4)]

Levantx (TPU)

Titanne (TPU)

Albianis (TPU)

Greater Conexus (TSP)[/spoiler]

Cerdenia,

Captain of the Pirate Party of Thaecia

Chairman of the Senate

Deputy Prime Minister

Senator

Lass

Aye

[Yes I have returned from my leave of absence to vote on this, tbh I thought I would've been replaced by now]

Islonia, The Marconian State, Cerdenia, Andusre

I hereby declare that the senate is open for business once again, and I have the basis to do this because the next senate hasn't been inaugurated yet, and as such there is still a majority:

"The opening of a Senate Session must be announced by the Chairman of the Senate in a opening statement to the Senate. This can only be done once a majority has been found. Once the opening statement is done business may begin in the Senate."

Nay! This motion makes no sense! If anything, it proves itself wrong by saying that the elections were ruined. Arguing should help the elections, and the Senate elections had some of the highest turnouts! This is astoundingly ridiculous.

Cerdenia wrote:Statement of the Chairman of the Senate

Fellow Senators, I would like to announce that as per L.R. 006 article XII, I will be calling recess, as the Senate elections come closer. I will be doing this early as I don't believe this Senate has any piece of legislation which should be adressed immediately, and also because the House of Commons has about 6 S.B.s they will need to vote on right at their opening, and I want to give them time to do so without filling them up again. I was also thinking that we could be calling this recess early in order for Senators seeking reelection to have more time to campaign, without having to constantly worry about debating and voting on every single bill.

So in conclusion, I hereby declare the Senate to be in recess until the end of the next Senate Elections, and the inauguration of a new Senate. The closing statement of this term shall be coming soon.

[Spoiler=Senators]

Cerdenia (PPT)

Levantx (TPU)

Titanne (TPU)

Albianis (TPU)

Greater Conexus (TSP)[/spoiler]

Cerdenia,

Captain of the Pirate Party of Thaecia

Chairman of the Senate

Deputy Prime Minister

Senator

This look familiar? RECESS

Titanne wrote:This look familiar? RECESS

Cerdenia wrote:I hereby declare that the senate is open for business once again, and I have the basis to do this because the next senate hasn't been inaugurated yet, and as such there is still a majority:

"The opening of a Senate Session must be announced by the Chairman of the Senate in a opening statement to the Senate. This can only be done once a majority has been found. Once the opening statement is done business may begin in the Senate."

Cerdenia wrote:

Nay. Bad. No. Ugh. Stop.

Titanne wrote:Nay! This motion makes no sense! If anything, it proves itself wrong by saying that the elections were ruined. Arguing should help the elections, and the Senate elections had some of the highest turnouts! This is astoundingly ridiculous.

Cerdenia wrote:No it didn't, the actions destroyed our elections. There was no debate around policy or any of that, only accusations of fascism or whatever, which, even if correct, frankly have nothing to do with our elections and turned our region into a pile of toxic s***. I am disappointed, if you are going to back this then so be it, but I know that I won't. High turnout means nothing if real issues aren't debated, and parties just try to call each other fascist or undemocratic or whatever. I am not backing off the motion and I hope the senators will realise what happened here today. Multiple people have already expressed their concerns against this situation, I doubt the actual citizens of Thaecia were happy seeing their RMB spammed with toxic discussion. I honestly don't see what you tend to gain with this.

Titanne wrote:Nay. Bad. No. Ugh. Stop.

You can't stop a democratic process which holds perfect legal basis.

Cerdenia wrote:You can't stop a democratic process which holds perfect legal basis.

Yes but I can guarantee you a snap election will change hardly anything about the votes, so this is ridiculous. Think of the stress that another 4 days of election will put on the region. Yes the problems existed before the elections but there is no denying that they flared up during the elections, and very specifically the Senate elections. Just because your party performed poorly does not mean you can do this. (Yes, I know that you can do this, but you get the point)

Titanne wrote:Yes but I can guarantee you a snap election will change hardly anything about the votes, so this is ridiculous. Think of the stress that another 4 days of election will put on the region. Yes the problems existed before the elections but there is no denying that they flared up during the elections, and very specifically the Senate elections. Just because your party performed poorly does not mean you can do this. (Yes, I know that you can do this, but you get the point)

No I don't care about the results of my party, I plan on resigning as Senator and Captain of the PPT shortly after my inauguration because I am tired of all of this, and honestly am planning to stay away from regional politics for for a while, probably until next general election. Many already know this, I have told Ontario, Fishergate and Andusre. What is actually undeniable is how these accusations affected the results of this election. I mean, a considerable amount of people voting TRP switched their votes halfway through the election, although a few ended up ultimately coming back. This wasn't right, policy was ignored and parties fought against each other, all we have now is a TPU majority at the cost of dozens of pages of debating, and accusations which generally weren't good.

Cerdenia wrote:No I don't care about the results of my party, I plan on resigning as Senator and Captain of the PPT shortly after my inauguration because I am tired of all of this, and honestly am planning to stay away from regional politics for for a while, probably until next general election. Many already know this, I have told Ontario, Fishergate and Andusre. What is actually undeniable is how these accusations affected the results of this election. I mean, a considerable amount of people voting TRP switched their votes halfway through the election, although a few ended up ultimately coming back. This wasn't right, policy was ignored and parties fought against each other, all we have now is a TPU majority at the cost of dozens of pages of debating, and accusations which generally weren't good.

But the public thought they were good, obviously. And, you’re saying you gained a seat for your party (of which you’re arguably the most popular member) and now you’re giving it away? That sounds like manipulating the electorate.

Titanne wrote:But the public thought they were good, obviously. And, you’re saying you gained a seat for your party (of which you’re arguably the most popular member) and now you’re giving it away? That sounds like manipulating the electorate.

You can't change argument, the public didn't think anything, the public can easily be convinced with accusation such as those, it's called populism. I am not going to reply to the other point as it is just you changing the topic.

Cerdenia wrote:You can't change argument, the public didn't think anything, the public can easily be convinced with accusation such as those, it's called populism. I am not going to reply to the other point as it is just you changing the topic.

Let’s not devolve into this again. The TPU recurved enough legal votes, and I notice you didn’t answer my point about the region succumbing to arguing again.

Titanne wrote:Let’s not devolve into this again. The TPU recurved enough legal votes, and I notice you didn’t answer my point about the region succumbing to arguing again.

The region won't succumb into arguing if your party doesen't bring up accusation of fascism half way through an election purely for political gain.

Cerdenia wrote:The region won't succumb into arguing if your party doesen't bring up accusation of fascism half way through an election purely for political gain.

You cannot deny that thinking you’ve discovered fascist in your region is not something to bring up?

Titanne wrote:You cannot deny that thinking you’ve discovered fascist in your region is not something to bring up?

As much as I dislike how the TRP changed the way Thaecia was (which I definitely prefered how it used to be), honestly I can't back the expulsion of individuals because of supposed "fascism", I don't even believe fascists should be banned, it goes against my pricipals believing any ideology should be banned (I am almost an anarchist when it comes to individual liberties xD). I don't like how the TRP grew, but I don't like what the TPU is doing to stop it either.

Titanne

Cerdenia wrote:As much as I dislike how the TRP changed the way Thaecia was (which I definitely prefered how it used to be), honestly I can't back the expulsion of individuals because of supposed "fascism", I don't even believe fascists should be banned, it goes against my pricipals believing any ideology should be banned (I am almost an anarchist when it comes to individual liberties xD). I don't like how the TRP grew, but I don't like what the TPU is doing to stop it either.

I agree. Even though I supported the investigation and took part in it, the banning without evidence and the reformist’s rebuttals were a bit much.

Cerdenia

Cerdenia wrote:As much as I dislike how the TRP changed the way Thaecia was (which I definitely prefered how it used to be), honestly I can't back the expulsion of individuals because of supposed "fascism", I don't even believe fascists should be banned, it goes against my pricipals believing any ideology should be banned (I am almost an anarchist when it comes to individual liberties xD). I don't like how the TRP grew, but I don't like what the TPU is doing to stop it either.

I can promise you that we are moving on and leaving this disaster behind. We had better plans for how to use the information before the The United Solar States leaked it. I assure you they would have happened after the election.

This is outrageous! The Senate has gone in recess. I quote So in conclusion, I hereby declare the Senate to be in recess until the end of the next Senate Elections, and the inauguration of a new Senate. The closing statement of this term shall be coming soon.

Calling a snap election after the Senate has gone in recess is against parliamentary and electoral procedures. We have other ways to disagree with election results. If Senator Cerdenia continues this illegal presence in the Senate chambers I shall challenge him in Court.

The Senate is not in session, so a (my) vote is not in order.

Levantx wrote:This is outrageous! The Senate has gone in recess. I quote So in conclusion, I hereby declare the Senate to be in recess until the end of the next Senate Elections, and the inauguration of a new Senate. The closing statement of this term shall be coming soon.

Calling a snap election after the Senate has gone in recess is against parliamentary and electoral procedures. We have other ways to disagree with election results. If Senator Cerdenia continues this illegal presence in the Senate chambers I shall challenge him in Court.

The Senate is not in session, so a (my) vote is not in order.

Senator, this senate is indeed in session. The elections are already over therefore I am allowed to open the Senate once more, I did so right here:

Cerdenia wrote:I hereby declare that the senate is open for business once again, and I have the basis to do this because the next senate hasn't been inaugurated yet, and as such there is still a majority:

"The opening of a Senate Session must be announced by the Chairman of the Senate in a opening statement to the Senate. This can only be done once a majority has been found. Once the opening statement is done business may begin in the Senate."

My post was announced before the election results, and I actually didn't think TPU had won a majority, nor do I intend to remain as Senator and Captain of the PPT for much longer.

The motion has been withdrawn, I see I do not have 4 Senators (which is the required majority to pass this motion), therefore I see no point in continuing with this. However my actions were planned and perfectly within the law.

I however still am very saddened to see how this turned out, an election which wasn't fought around policy, but rather insults, attacks or accusations. I know I am going to be accused of power hungriness or whatever, considering that my party didn't do that well in the election, but honestly I am confident I did the right thing, I have no lust for power, I could've ran for PM and likely won, I could stay as PPT Captain considering I am still popular within my party, yet I am resigning within 2 weeks. I honestly feel as if I did the right thing, let's hope this majority which was won in a rather dishonest way really can do a good job, because last time it didn't go that well.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for all of those who stayed on my side, both as Chairman of this senate and also backed my motion. I know I did the right thing. With that I am also going to use this opportunity to, as I mentioned earlier, announce that I will be slowly getting less and less involved in Thaecian politics from now on. I will likely be coming back more actively close to next general election, but for now I wish all of you luck.

[Spoiler=Senators (5)]

Cerdenia

Levantx (TPU)

Titanne (TPU)

Albianis (TPU)

Greater Conexus (TSP)[/spoiler]

Cerdenia,

Captain of the Pirate Party of Thaecia

Chairman of the Senate

Deputy Prime Minister

Senator

Upper Ontario And Hudson Bay, Andusre, Titanne, Duras

All Senators who wish to run for Chairman please say so in response to this post.

You have 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

Levantx, The Naval Federation, Titanne, Duras

Rayekka wrote:All Senators who wish to run for Chairman please say so in response to this post.

You have 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I am running for Chairman.

Andusre

Rayekka wrote:All Senators who wish to run for Chairman please say so in response to this post.

You have 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I wish to stand for chairman.

Upper Ontario And Hudson Bay

Rayekka wrote:All Senators who wish to run for Chairman please say so in response to this post.

You have 24 hours.

Time for an election?

Senate Chairman Election - VOTING

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below. Voting will remain open for a minimum of 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

I abstain from voting.

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - VOTING

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below. Voting will remain open for a minimum of 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for myself, obviously.

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - VOTING

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below. Voting will remain open for a minimum of 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for myself

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - VOTING

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below. Voting will remain open for a minimum of 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for Titanne

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - VOTING

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below. Voting will remain open for a minimum of 24 hours.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I abstain

Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

No candidate has received the over 50% required for someone to be elected Chairman of the Senate.

Therefore we will hold a revote in which the vote will end in just over 24 hours time. If no candidate can receive over 50% of the vote this time round a Snap Election will be held.

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

Xernon, Duras

I abstain from voting

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

No candidate has received the over 50% required for someone to be elected Chairman of the Senate.

Therefore we will hold a revote in which the vote will end in just over 24 hours time. If no candidate can receive over 50% of the vote this time round a Snap Election will be held.

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

Titanne is my choice.

Xernon, Duras

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

No candidate has received the over 50% required for someone to be elected Chairman of the Senate.

Therefore we will hold a revote in which the vote will end in just over 24 hours time. If no candidate can receive over 50% of the vote this time round a Snap Election will be held.

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for Titanne

Andusre, Xernon, Titanne

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

No candidate has received the over 50% required for someone to be elected Chairman of the Senate.

Therefore we will hold a revote in which the vote will end in just over 24 hours time. If no candidate can receive over 50% of the vote this time round a Snap Election will be held.

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for myself

Rayekka wrote:Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

No candidate has received the over 50% required for someone to be elected Chairman of the Senate.

Therefore we will hold a revote in which the vote will end in just over 24 hours time. If no candidate can receive over 50% of the vote this time round a Snap Election will be held.

The candidates are:

Titanne (TPU)

The Naval Federation (TRP)

Please cast your vote below.

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

I vote for Titanne

The Marconian State, Xernon, Titanne, Duras

Senate Chairman Election - RESULTS

Senator Titanne has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Senate.

Senator The Naval Federation will serve as Shadow Speaker as the only opponent to Titanne.

Results:

Titanne (TPU) - 3 votes

The Naval Federation (TRP) - 1 vote

1 abstention

Titanne

Duras

Marvinton

The Naval Federation

Cerdenia

The Marconian State, Titanne, Duras

Ladies and gentleman, I am thrilled to call the second session of the Thaecian Senate to order. If you have any legislation you would like to submit, please do so my telegramming myself or my Chairman account, Titannea. To start off the term, we will be passing all legislation left behind from the last one, and then taking a time to let the House catch up. On the 26th we will have a hearing for Broustan. The first bill of the term is here. We are to begin debate immediately and it will conclude in 2 days time. Amendments may be submitted at this point.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEBATE FOR:

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. 18

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators (5)]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

Marvinton, Andusre

Titanne wrote:Ladies and gentleman, I am thrilled to call the second session of the Thaecian Senate to order. If you have any legislation you would like to submit, please do so my telegramming myself or my Chairman account, Titannea. To start off the term, we will be passing all legislation left behind from the last one, and then taking a time to let the House catch up. On the 26th we will have a hearing for Broustan. The first bill of the term is here. We are to begin debate immediately and it will conclude in 2 days time.

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. XXX

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators (5)]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

All Senators please take the time to read this.

Duras

I personally am against this bill, I know that several major political parties use a campaign strategy that targets swing voters, and this bill would render that practice null and void.

Duras

Titanne

Well just to start off, I would like to notify the Hon. Chairman that he forgot to put a number on the bill, as is the procedure that has always been utilised by this Senate.

As for my opinion on this bill, I like the idea, as it means citizens have more freedom to vote their consience, without having to be bothered by the elite of political parties desperate for votes, as those elites won't be able to know which candidate citizens are voting for. However there is an issue with this bill, and that is that the bill doesen't accurately explain how this new system of voting would take place. We currently vote with NS polls, and well with NS polls there is no way for the votes of citizens to be hidden. The opinion of me and my party on this issue, is that there should be electoral reform. We should seek to implement google forms-based voting, as it allows for votes to be kept secret and as such professionalism is valued over parties, while the Comissioner should create a separate google docs document with the electoral results, and update it throughout the election.

Conclusion, the idea is good, however perhaps it should be more elaborated on. I myself will likely consider submiting an amendment, as this is related to one of the policies supported by the Unity Party of Thaecia.

Levantx, Titanne

Titanne wrote:Ladies and gentleman, I am thrilled to call the second session of the Thaecian Senate to order. If you have any legislation you would like to submit, please do so my telegramming myself or my Chairman account, Titannea. To start off the term, we will be passing all legislation left behind from the last one, and then taking a time to let the House catch up. On the 26th we will have a hearing for Broustan. The first bill of the term is here. We are to begin debate immediately and it will conclude in 2 days time. Amendments may be submitted at this point.

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. XXX

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators (5)]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

Cerdenia wrote:Titanne

Well just to start off, I would like to notify the Hon. Chairman that he forgot to put a number on the bill, as is the procedure that has always been utilised by this Senate.

As for my opinion on this bill, I like the idea, as it means citizens have more freedom to vote their consience, without having to be bothered by the elite of political parties desperate for votes, as those elites won't be able to know which candidate citizens are voting for. However there is an issue with this bill, and that is that the bill doesen't accurately explain how this new system of voting would take place. We currently vote with NS polls, and well with NS polls there is no way for the votes of citizens to be hidden. The opinion of me and my party on this issue, is that there should be electoral reform. We should seek to implement google forms-based voting, as it allows for votes to be kept secret and as such professionalism is valued over parties, while the Comissioner should create a separate google docs document with the electoral results, and update it throughout the election.

Conclusion, the idea is good, however perhaps it should be more elaborated on. I myself will likely consider submiting an amendment, as this is related to one of the policies supported by the Unity Party of Thaecia.

Thank you for the reminder Cerdenia. I appreciate your support.

Titanne wrote:Thank you for the reminder Cerdenia. I appreciate your support.

my reminder has nothing to do with support but okay

Titanne

Cerdenia wrote:my reminder has nothing to do with support but okay

Either way it is appreciated.

Titanne

I like the idea of this bill but if we pass it as it is, we would not be able to have elections here on NS. We would need to have it on some other site, such as Google forms. I would agree with an amendment to add Google forms as the way to host elections. Google forms will let voters keep their vote secure and secret while not showing the region the results of the election as it is taking place, which may make the elections more legitimate.

Titanne

Post self-deleted by Marvinton.

Marvinton wrote:Titanne

I like the idea of this bill but if we pass it as it is, we would not be able to have elections here on NS. We would need to have it on some other site, such as Google forms. I would agree with an amendment to add Google forms as the way to host elections. Google forms will let voters keep their vote secure and secret while not showing the region the results of the election as it is taking place, which may make the elections more legitimate.

Ok, that I can agree with, I suppose. As long as citizens can change their votes, I’m fine with it,

Marvinton wrote:Titanne

I like the idea of this bill but if we pass it as it is, we would not be able to have elections here on NS. We would need to have it on some other site, such as Google forms. I would agree with an amendment to add Google forms as the way to host elections. Google forms will let voters keep their vote secure and secret while not showing the region the results of the election as it is taking place, which may make the elections more legitimate.

Titanne wrote:Ok, that I can agree with, I suppose. As long as citizens can change their votes, I’m fine with it,

Lol that was exactly what I said on my post, you TPU people can't copy my idea and pretend like I didn't say anything.

Cerdenia wrote:Lol that was exactly what I said on my post, you TPU people can't copy my idea and pretend like I didn't say anything.

Sorry! You did say that, I just forgot to respond. LOL

Cerdenia

I don't think we should let nations change their vote once they have voted in an election. Nations should be aware of what the candidates stand for before they vote, which can prevent vote changes. I do not like nations that blindly vote for a candidate they know nothing about. It should be the government's job to make sure voters have enough information on the candidates to make an educated choice.

Marvinton wrote:I don't think we should let nations change their vote once they have voted in an election. Nations should be aware of what the candidates stand for before they vote, which can prevent vote changes. I do not like nations that blindly vote for a candidate they know nothing about. It should be the government's job to make sure voters have enough information on the candidates to make an educated choice.

That may have been the case before, but now people HAVE to vote for political parties, and if this election shows anything, it’s that information emerges mid-election. On everyone. Besides, with all due respect, why does not changing votes help the region?

Levantx, Cerdenia

Titanne wrote:That may have been the case before, but now people HAVE to vote for political parties, and if this election shows anything, it’s that information emerges mid-election. On everyone. Besides, with all due respect, why does not changing votes help the region?

I believe we should reform our election system, making it so nations can vote for individuals instead of parties. From my past experiences, nations mainly change votes because they are forced to do so from a candidate or party and they are generally unaware of what the candidates or party stands for.

Marvinton wrote:I believe we should reform our election system, making it so nations can vote for individuals instead of parties. From my past experiences, nations mainly change votes because they are forced to do so from a candidate or party and they are generally unaware of what the candidates or party stands for.

That is a different issue from this point, although one I agree with. Let’s do that as a separate act, and focus on keeping this one related to its original topics. We’d need a constitutional amendment for your plan. This is not one.

As I am the author of the Bill. I would like to ask a senator to sponsor my presence here and participate in the debate?

So that I can explain my reasoning behind it.

Levantx wrote:As I am the author of the Bill. I would like to ask a senator to sponsor my presence here and participate in the debate?

So that I can explain my reasoning behind it.

You are allowed to speak as the author of the bill. No sponsorship required.

Levantx, Cerdenia

Thank you Mr Speaker,

I want to clarify why I have chosen not to include a specific method of voting.

Because the electoral commissioner who is responsible for organising the elections, and because the commissioner is elected. I am of opinion that the methode or at least the tool which can be used to count the votes, should be chosen by himself (the tool most comfortable to him or her).

Also when we elect an electoral commissioner this can be something which Parliament can decide on and be debated on during the nomination of a new commissioner.

The ground rule: citizens having one vote, and a political party vote system is already enshrined in our laws and constitution. I do not think a methodology has to be written down in law either.

However Congress can make laws to regulate further the election process. Even if this can become less flexible. I am not perse against that, I think it can be done later on.

My main concern is that the votes, how citizens are voting should not be disclosed publicly. I want my vote to be a secret so that no one know how I have voted.

If this Bill passes, the consequence will be that the electoral commissioner shall have to consider 3 regulations in total.

(1) the Constitution: equality of votes among citizens = one vote = one citizen

(2) the constitution (amendment): party based voting

(3) this bill: a secret ballot (secrecy of the vote from the voter)

These regulation leaves it open for the electoral commissioner to use whatever tool he wants, as long as these 3 rules are respected. An NS poll is indeed no longer useful, the votes are public on NS.

Cerdenia

Levantx wrote:Thank you Mr Speaker,

I want to clarify why I have chosen not to include a specific method of voting.

Because the electoral commissioner who is responsible for organising the elections, and because the commissioner is elected. I am of opinion that the methode or at least the tool which can be used to count the votes, should be chosen by himself (the tool most comfortable to him or her).

Also when we elect an electoral commissioner this can be something which Parliament can decide on and be debated on during the nomination of a new commissioner.

The ground rule: citizens having one vote, and a political party vote system is already enshrined in our laws and constitution. I do not think a methodology has to be written down in law either.

However Congress can make laws to regulate further the election process. Even if this can become less flexible. I am not perse against that, I think it can be done later on.

My main concern is that the votes, how citizens are voting should not be disclosed publicly. I want my vote to be a secret so that no one know how I have voted.

If this Bill passes, the consequence will be that the electoral commissioner shall have to consider 3 regulations in total.

(1) the Constitution: equality of votes among citizens = one vote = one citizen

(2) the constitution (amendment): party based voting

(3) this bill: a secret ballot (secrecy of the vote from the voter)

These regulation leaves it open for the electoral commissioner to use whatever tool he wants, as long as these 3 rules are respected. An NS poll is indeed no longer useful, the votes are public on NS.

Ok, but you’re taking away one of the top options for the Electoral Commissioner to use. You’re contradicting yourself.

Titanne wrote:That is a different issue from this point, although one I agree with. Let’s do that as a separate act, and focus on keeping this one related to its original topics. We’d need a constitutional amendment for your plan. This is not one.

I believe adding Google forms should be an amendment to this piece of legislation but if anyone wants to work with me on election reform, please let me know.

Marvinton wrote:I believe adding Google forms should be an amendment to this piece of legislation but if anyone wants to work with me on election reform, please let me know.

Marvinton, unfortunately an amendment on that matter to this bill is not possible. It would supersede the constitution, which is obviously illegal.

Titannea wrote:Marvinton, unfortunately an amendment on that matter to this bill is not possible. It would supersede the constitution, which is obviously illegal.

I believe that this bill does not do enough for this purpose and I will not vote for it's approval unless an amendment is added, which looks unlikely.

Marvinton wrote:I believe that this bill does not do enough for this purpose and I will not vote for it's approval unless an amendment is added, which looks unlikely.

It’s important to me that you understand that it’s not just me blocking you, it’s the law. That amendment would contradict the constitution. If you like, you can propose an amendment to the constitution, and I can add it to the docket.

Levantx

Titannea wrote:It’s important to me that you understand that it’s not just me blocking you, it’s the law. That amendment would contradict the constitution. If you like, you can propose an amendment to the constitution, and I can add it to the docket.

No I understand that, I just believe it's not the right time for this bill to be brought up until we have election reform. Like I said before, I will work on writing up a bill for election reform

Titanne

Marvinton wrote:No I understand that, I just believe it's not the right time for this bill to be brought up until we have election reform. Like I said before, I will work on writing up a bill for election reform

Oh, yes, I agree with that.

Marvinton

To be rather honest here fellow senators, I believe this is a matter we should take to discuss on a constitutional amendment. I don't believe just writing down a bill saying "hey now votes are secret" does much by itself. I think we should decide for a pre-determined method of voting, mainly because if we don't that means this system can be abused. The commisioner could in theory (not saying he would, I doubt Rayekka would, have known him for almost a year now, but this serves to future comissioners) use a certain different and unknown website as a form of voting. What this would mean is that the commisioner could adopt a different form of voting which would make voting more difficult, thus possibly lowering turnout as the less active people wouldn't be able to vote due to the extra complexity of the system. If we make a constitutional amendment stating that it's google forms voting (which in my opinion, is the best solution as pretty much everyone knows google and has google account), then we also add in secret ballot as well. This would mean that the way voting works would be very set in stone in the constitution, no manipulation would be possible, and we would also be able to go back to candidate-based voting, which puts professionalism above partisanship.

Marvinton

Cerdenia wrote:To be rather honest here fellow senators, I believe this is a matter we should take to discuss on a constitutional amendment. I don't believe just writing down a bill saying "hey now votes are secret" does much by itself. I think we should decide for a pre-determined method of voting, mainly because if we don't that means this system can be abused. The commisioner could in theory (not saying he would, I doubt Rayekka would, have known him for almost a year now, but this serves to future comissioners) use a certain different and unknown website as a form of voting. What this would mean is that the commisioner could adopt a different form of voting which would make voting more difficult, thus possibly lowering turnout as the less active people wouldn't be able to vote due to the extra complexity of the system. If we make a constitutional amendment stating that it's google forms voting (which in my opinion, is the best solution as pretty much everyone knows google and has google account), then we also add in secret ballot as well. This would mean that the way voting works would be very set in stone in the constitution, no manipulation would be possible, and we would also be able to go back to candidate-based voting, which puts professionalism above partisanship.

I agree with this

Cerdenia

I agree what all statements put here on the floor. However I would love to see this bill passed, because why delay the secret ballot untill an electoral reform is written down. Most probably there will be two more elections quite soon (House and Senate) in order to expand the number of seats in both chambers.

If we do not approve this bill, it will again be an NS poll where votes are public, and some citizens will not vote according to their believes, but will vote on how they are pressured by their peers.

This bill can be a temporary fix to this peer pressure behaviour. Until an electoral reform amendment completly replaces the bill (possibly also repeal).

I hope that senators will vote in favour, to at least solve the issue step by step, and not leave a flaw in the system open for even two more elections until a solution possible can be found. Do remember that a constitutional amendment is a two third majority challenge!

To reply also on what senator Cerdenia said about the electoral commissioner. He or she can already decide on which methode he or she wants to use. Their is no regulation at all preventing him of using google forms, or any other system of that matter. with this bill that also doesn't change, it only prevents him of using NS polls (because of its public nature). So the problem already exists, the bill is not the problem of that.

The debating period will close in 4 hours. Also, btw, I plan on voting nay on this bill, as it needs more elaboration for me to even consider supporting it, and even then...

Marvinton

I have drafted a constitutional amendment for electoral reform: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=cerdenia/detail=factbook/id=1238212

Therefore I will also be voting against this bill as well.

Levantx, Marvinton, Titanne

Cerdenia wrote:I have drafted a constitutional amendment for electoral reform: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=cerdenia/detail=factbook/id=1238212

Therefore I will also be voting against this bill as well.

I have nearly finished my constitutional amendment for electoral reform but this one seems good too. I will still post my amendment here once its done so we can compare them and maybe make one final version between the two.

Cerdenia

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING ON S.B. 18

Since no amendments have been submitted, we will move directly a voting period for the Secret Ballot Act. Attached below is a copy of the bill. I will update the voting record as votes come in.

Ayes: The Naval Federation

Nays: Titanne, Marvinton, Cerdenia

Abstains:

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. 18

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators Yet To Vote]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

Titanne wrote:ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING ON S.B. 18

Since no amendments have been submitted, we will move directly a voting period for the Secret Ballot Act. Attached below is a copy of the bill. I will update the voting record as votes come in.

Ayes:

Nays: Titanne

Abstains:

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. 18

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators Yet To Vote]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

Nay

Titanne

I have drafted a referendum to increase the size of congress

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1238360

Titanne

Marvinton wrote:I have drafted a referendum to increase the size of congress

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1238360

You’re going to need to reformat that as a constitutional amendment.

Cerdenia wrote:I have drafted a constitutional amendment for electoral reform: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=cerdenia/detail=factbook/id=1238212

Therefore I will also be voting against this bill as well.

Do you want me to add that to the docket?

Titanne wrote:You’re going to need to reformat that as a constitutional amendment.

Ok I'll fix it

Titanne

Titanne wrote:ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING ON S.B. 18

Since no amendments have been submitted, we will move directly a voting period for the Secret Ballot Act. Attached below is a copy of the bill. I will update the voting record as votes come in.

Ayes:

Nays: Titanne, Marvinton

Abstains:

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. 18

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators Yet To Vote]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

Aye

Upper Ontario And Hudson Bay

Constitutional Amendment to increase the size of congress. (hopefully it will work out fine this time).

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=marvinton/detail=factbook/id=1238371

Titanne wrote:You’re going to need to reformat that as a constitutional amendment.

Marvinton wrote:Constitutional Amendment to increase the size of congress. (hopefully it will work out fine this time).

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=marvinton/detail=factbook/id=1238371

Increasing size of congress does not require a constitutional amendment, I actually know this very well because I gave the idea for this specific system back in the convention. Here is how you do it:

"In order to expand the number of seats in either house, three fifths of both chambers and the region, in the form of a referendum, must approve of the expansion. The expansion must always result in an odd number of seats in a chamber."

It's a motion for referendum, although personally I don't see any point in expanding the chambers like, right now, considering that we are very far away from elections.

Levantx, Titanne

Nay to the current bill.

Titanne

Cerdenia wrote:Increasing size of congress does not require a constitutional amendment, I actually know this very well because I gave the idea for this specific system back in the convention. Here is how you do it:

"In order to expand the number of seats in either house, three fifths of both chambers and the region, in the form of a referendum, must approve of the expansion. The expansion must always result in an odd number of seats in a chamber."

It's a motion for referendum, although personally I don't see any point in expanding the chambers like, right now, considering that we are very far away from elections.

Thank you.

Cerdenia

How should the bill be formatted then?

Here is the bill I have drafted on election reform

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=marvinton/detail=factbook/id=1238438

Titanne wrote:ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING ON S.B. 18

Since no amendments have been submitted, we will move directly a voting period for the Secret Ballot Act. Attached below is a copy of the bill. I will update the voting record as votes come in.

Ayes: The Naval Federation

Nays: Titanne, Marvinton, Cerdenia

Abstains:

Secret Ballot Act - S.B. 18

Author: Levantx

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=PREAMBLE]OBSERVING that the previous elections are organised by public poll which allows social and peer socialisation based on how people have voted.

CONCERING that this social control by fellow citizens, governmental regimes or candidates could have a negative social impact on the community in Thaecia.

STRESSING the need to prevent possibilities of blackmailing, pressure voting and dishonesty during election time.

ACKNOWLEDGING that with public vote a voter could be swayed not to vote by heart but by head because of the public record of his vote casted before all fellow citizens and candidates.

HOPING that with a secret ballot voters are given the confidence to vote by heart and cast a true vote in election time without being afraid of judgment, social pressure of voting in line with a social group.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE ONE - SECRET BALLOT]HEREBY DECREES, that all elections for the position of Prime Minister, President and the elections for the House and the Senate are to be organised by secret ballot. Meaning that each casted vote by every citizen shall be kept secret in counting and processing the votes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=ARTICLE TWO - PENALTY]IN ORDER to enforce the necessity of secrecy and the importance of the most fundamental moment in democracy. all those who are involvement in the processing the elections, are by oath entitled to keep the secrecy of the ballot, on judicial punishment varying from the exclusion of running for public office up till a banishment from the region, regarding the severity of the offense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Senators Yet To Vote]

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

The Naval Federation

Duras[/spoiler]

NAY

Titanne

CLOSURE OF VOTING FOR S.B. 018

Final Voting Record

Aye- 1, The Naval Federation

Nay- 4, Cerdenia, Titanne, Duras, Marvinton

Abstain- 0

S.B. 18 has failed.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEBATE FOR S.B. 19

Debate will last for 2 days.

RMB Code of Conduct of Thaecia Act - S.B. XXX

Author: Duras

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=Preamble]

To set up a number of rules for the Regional Message Board, to keep the Message Board civilized and to be more organized, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Congress hereby enacts the following:

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article I - Rules]

Please, follow all official Nationstates rules when posting on the RMB.

Please keep things appropriate. Please refrain from posting anything obscene, sexual, or gory in content.

Do not spam. Do not post many messages in a row, instead edit your first post. Use spoilers for long posts. Avoid personal attacks and trolling on the RMB. Do not spread false information about other nations, or misquote other nations posts in a way that changes their meaning.

No recruiting for other regions on the RMB. No advertising for real life products or begging for endorsements.

Respect others. We are all people here, and we all deserve to treated with dignity and respect.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article II - Application]

These rules only apply to the main regional message board of Thaecia, and not to associated regions such as institutional regions.

The Home Affairs Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Prime Minister and the President is the institution that enforces these rules, and ensures that they are respected.

Sanctions for breach of these rules are enforced by the institutions listed in paragraph 2 and may be:

[list]- suppressing messages that violate the rules;

- Exclusion from the region after repeated or serious violation of the rules, with the express consent of the court.[/list]

Decisions taken by the institutions referred to in point 2 may be appealed to the Court.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article III - Final and Transitional Provisions]

This law comes into force when it is approved by the Congress.

It is the responsibility of the HAM to make sure every Thaecian is informed about the existence of these rules, and to make sure these rules are easily visible to all in the region.

This law may only be amended with the approval of the Home Affairs Ministry and Congress.[/spoiler]

Levantx, Marvinton

Titanne

You made a mistake with the last spoiler Mr Chairman.

Titanne

Cerdenia wrote:Titanne

You made a mistake with the last spoiler Mr Chairman.

I did?

Titanne wrote:I did?

Oh I see. Thanks Cerdenia.

Titanne wrote:CLOSURE OF VOTING FOR S.B. 018

Final Voting Record

Aye- 1, The Naval Federation

Nay- 4, Cerdenia, Titanne, Duras, Marvinton

Abstain- 0

S.B. 18 has failed.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEBATE FOR S.B. 19

Debate will last for 2 days.

RMB Code of Conduct of Thaecia Act - S.B. XXX

Author: Duras

Sponsor: Levantx

[spoiler=Preamble]

To set up a number of rules for the Regional Message Board, to keep the Message Board civilized and to be more organized, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Congress hereby enacts the following:

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article I - Rules]

Please, follow all official Nationstates rules when posting on the RMB.

Please keep things appropriate. Please refrain from posting anything obscene, sexual, or gory in content.

Do not spam. Do not post many messages in a row, instead edit your first post. Use spoilers for long posts. Avoid personal attacks and trolling on the RMB. Do not spread false information about other nations, or misquote other nations posts in a way that changes their meaning.

No recruiting for other regions on the RMB. No advertising for real life products or begging for endorsements.

Respect others. We are all people here, and we all deserve to treated with dignity and respect.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article II - Application]

These rules only apply to the main regional message board of Thaecia, and not to associated regions such as institutional regions.

The Home Affairs Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Prime Minister and the President is the institution that enforces these rules, and ensures that they are respected.

Sanctions for breach of these rules are enforced by the institutions listed in paragraph 2 and may be:

[list]- suppressing messages that violate the rules;

- Exclusion from the region after repeated or serious violation of the rules, with the express consent of the court.[/list]

Decisions taken by the institutions referred to in point 2 may be appealed to the Court.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Article III - Final and Transitional Provisions]

This law comes into force when it is approved by the Congress.

It is the responsibility of the HAM to make sure every Thaecian is informed about the existence of these rules, and to make sure these rules are easily visible to all in the region.

This law may only be amended with the approval of the Home Affairs Ministry and Congress.[/spoiler]

Dear colleagues,

This law is important for our region. This Act represents a need to regulate the space in which the vast majority of regional activity takes place. If you have any questions or problems with this law, please let me know. Thank you!

Levantx, Marvinton, Titanne

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING ON S.B. 19

[spoiler=SENATORS]

The Naval Federation

Duras

Marvinton

Titanne

Cerdenia

[/spoiler]

Since there has been very little debate on this bill, no interest in amendments shown, and every Senator has been active since opening of debate, I have decided to open voting early. I will update the standings as votes come in.

AYES- Titanne

NAYS-

ABSTAINS-

Post self-deleted by Cerdenia.

Nay

I find the provision for the enforcement of this Bill to dependent on the President and the Prime Minister the sole enforcement of this act should lie with the HAM and the Courts as a citizen should not be punished without a legal proceeding.

Upper Ontario And Hudson Bay, Cerdenia, Orangemain

Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.