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Landsraad Elections Act of 2009

Overview

As deadlock gripped the 2008 Parliament, it became clear that His Administratorness' Government would not be able to operate unless the Landraad, the Upper House of AH.com's Parliament, was seated. To this end, Susano of the Federalist Federation of Federalists proposed a series of bills calling for new elections.

History

After the Krall-Pkmatrix Parliamentary Reform Bill - which, among its provisions, called for Landraad elections to be held Februrary 15 - failed to pass, debate continued in the Diet on when the Landraad elections should be held. On February 13, President Sargon (E) announced that he had contacted the Electoral Officer, Douglas, “as the matter of elections concerns him,” and that “he should be here to make his views known on [the call for recall elections]”. On February 14, Douglas said “If you want to hold these elections, feel free to do so,”, but added that he would need to resign as Electoral Officer and Acting Prime Minister in the event of immediate recall elections.

Susano (FFF) proposed this bill on February 14, calling for elections on March 8 through a list system. The bill would also give the President the power to appoint the AH.com Electoral Officer.

President Sargon supported this, saying “Landsraad elections would be a sensible idea,” and “An alternative plan is to have Landsraad Elections soon, on the understanding that those standing take their seats until August, when we have new ones for both the Landsraad and the Diet. That way, at least we have the Landsraad in place, and Doug won't feel he has to resign if we call Diet recall elections.” He emphasized his support afterwards: “If they [Landsraad elections] are interim in nature until August and we also have new ones in August at the same time as for the Diet,” but conditioned that “They must also be on a date when I am present.”

Minister of Vengeance Maverick (E) proposed that rather than holding Landsraad elections on March 8, they be held on March 1 or March 4, whichever was more convenient for the President. Sargon responded that he would prefer them to be later: “Anytime after the 14th of March would be best for me.” Pkmatrix (YSP) also supported special Landraad elections for March and proposed they be held on March 21. Sargon, TheDarkServant (E), and LordInsane (E) supported Pkmatrix's suggestion.

LightInfa (E) stated he would support the bill if it were amended to remove Section 5, though later agreed he would support the bill as long as it could be amended later.

Proposed Text of Legislation

1. Be it resolved that the first Elections for the AH.com Landsraad shall take place on 8th March 2009.

2. Be it further resolved that the Landsraad Elections will happen according to a system of election lists, that due to the election modus detailed in the AH.Com Landsraad Act, the Elections shall not be secret elections, and that those people can vote in them as is specified in the AH.com Landsraad Act.

3. Be it further resolved that the President shall appoint a person considered sufficiently neutral to head the elections as Special Election Leader for the Landsraad.

4. Be it further resolved that Parliament has the power of a negative resolution against such an appointment with simple majority.

5. Be it further resolved that the Special Election Leader for the Landsraad will receive PMs from the persons eligible to vote stating their title or titles, peerage or peerages belonging to and their vote or votes.

6. Be it further resolved that the Special Election Leader for the Landsraad will faithfully collect and count the votes and present the result once finished, upon which the seat composition of the Landsraad will be determined.

7. Be it further determined that sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 will remain legal procedures for later Landsraad elections, and that the power of the negative resolution against the Special Election Leader for the Landsraad as per section 4 will be transferred to Landsraad itself in later elections, both until such a time as a cohesive law about the modus of Landsraad elections is decided on.

Proposed Amendments

1. Be it resolved that the first Elections for the AH.com Landsraad shall take place on 21st March 2009.

1b. Be it further resolved that those elected in March shall serve until only August, at which time new elections will be held alongside elections for the AH.com Diet and AH.com President.

Final Text of Legislation