by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

1

DispatchFactbookInternational

by Osberg-thitania. . 15 reads.

The Constitution of CoC -Feb 2016 with bbc codes

Preamble
We the members of this Commonwealth of Crowns solemnly pledge ourselves;

To strengthen the sovereignty of The Commonwealth;

To secure the blessings of liberty;

To ensure justice and tranquillity and to enhance the unity;

Happiness and well being of the region for all time;

We do hereby ordain and adopt this Constitution for the Commonwealth of Crowns as of 00:00am of the 27th Day of August the Year 2015.

Article I - Founding Provisions
Section 1. The Commonwealth of Crowns (hereafter referred to as "the Commonwealth" or "the CoC") is one, sovereign, democratic region founded on the following values -

Subsection 1 All nations joining the Commonwealth must have a sitting Monarchy as Head of State, but may adopt any governing system said members desire;

Subsection 2 Member's dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of member's rights and freedoms;

Subsection 3 Supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law;

Subsection 4 Regular elections and a multi-party system of democratic government; to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.

Article II - Supremacy of the Constitution

Section 1. This Constitution is the supreme law of the Commonwealth of Crowns; law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid, and the obligations imposed by it must be fulfilled.

Article III - Citizenship
Section 1. There shall be a common Commonwealth Citizenship.

Section 2. A nation who applies for Citizenship shall -

Subsection 2.1 Have lawfully resided in the Commonwealth of Crowns for at least 5 days;

Subsection 2.2 Have a Monarchy as Head of State as mentioned in Article 1, Subsection 1.1;

Subsection 2.3 Be able to speak and write English.

Subsection 2.5 Renounce the citizenship, if any, of a foreign State.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 3. Any nation whom is granted citizenship shall be known as "Member Nation(s)" or "Member(s)".

Section 4. Any Member Nation holding citizenship that fails to meet the conditions outlined in Section 2 of this Article, shall have his citizenship rescinded, after being provided ample warning and a five-day notice by the Government. [Amendment #001;]

Article IV - Government
Section 1. The Government shall consist of a Legislative branch (The Assembly), an Executive branch (The Secretary-General and Cabinet) and a Judiciary branch (The Crowns Court).[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 2. The Government of the Commonwealth must adhere to the principles in this Article and must conduct their activities within the parameters that this Article provides.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 3. The Government must -

Subsection 3.1 Preserve the peace, regional unity and the indivisibility of the Commonwealth;

Subsection 3.2 Secure the well-being of the members of the Commonwealth;

Subsection 3.3 Provide effective transparent, accountable and coherent government for the Commonwealth as a whole;

Subsection 3.4 Be loyal to the Constitution, the Commonwealth and its members;

Subsection 3.5 Respect the Constitutional status, institutions, powers and functions of government in other spheres;

Subsection 3.6 Not assume any power or function except those conferred on them in terms of the Constitution; and

Subsection 3.7 Exercise their powers and perform their functions in a manner that does not encroach on the geographical, functional or institutional integrity of the member nations.

Article V - Commonwealth Assembly
Section 1. The legislative power is vested in the Commonwealth Assembly (hereafter referred to as "the Assembly".).[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 2. The Assembly participate in the legislative process in the manner set out in this Constitution.

Section 3. The Assembly consists of every forum registered member that has been active within the last 30 days, of whom retains full citizenship, to ensure an active legislature, under this constitution. It does this by providing an off-site forum for regional consideration of issues, by passing legislation, and by scrutinizing and overseeing executive action.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 4. The seat of Assembly is Crowns Island, but an Act of Assembly may determine that the seat of Assembly is elsewhere.

Section 5. The regional legislative authority as vested in the Assembly shall, subject to this Constitution, have the power to make laws, for the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to -

Subsection 1 To amend the Constitution;

Subsection 2 To consider, pass, amend or reject any legislation before the Assembly;

Subsection 3 Initiate or prepare legislation, except money bills;

Subsection 4 Ensure that the Regional Government and other organs of State are accountable to it;

Subsection 5 To maintain oversight;

Subsection 6 Summon any member, institution or organization to appear before it to give evidence, under oath or affirmation, or to produce documents.

Subsection 7 Require any member, institution or organization to report to it;

Subsection 8 Compel, in terms of regional legislation or rules and orders, any member, institution or organization to comply with a summons or requirement in terms of subsections 6.7. or 6.8.

Section 6. The Assembly may intervene, by passing legislation with regard to a matter falling within a functional area when it is necessary -

Subsection 1 To maintain regional security;

Subsection 2 To maintain economic unity;

Subsection 3 To maintain essential regional standards;

Section 7. When exercising its legislative authority, the Assembly is bound only by this Constitution, and must act in accordance with, and within the limits of this Constitution.

Section 8. The Assembly must establish rules and orders concerning the dispatch of business of the Assembly.

Section 9. Within two (2) days after the beginning of every term, the Assembly must elect a Speaker from among its members.

Subsection 1 An Act of Assembly must regulate the powers and functions of the Speaker, however, until the Assembly so provides, the Speaker shall have the power and functions as provided in any Constitution, which was legal before this Constitution has been voted in.

Subsection 2 At the end of the Government term, the Speaker shall initiate the election of a new Speaker, and at the same time resign his office. Should only one (1) candidate be running, the election must still take place in order for a new Speaker to assume the role.

Section 10. Members of the Assembly must publicly (On the Regional Message Board / RMB) announce their intentions to run for the position of Speaker up to seven (7) days prior. The Speaker shall be elected by a simple majority vote.

Section 11. The Assembly may remove the Speaker from office by resolution. A majority of the members of the Assembly must be present when the resolution is adopted.

Section 12. Amendments to the Constitution may only be passed by an absolute majority vote, in which two-thirds of the votes are required.

Section 13. Notwithstanding anything in the previous section, all questions, bills, and/or amendments, including resolutions and policies are decided by a majority of votes cast.

Section 14. Any Bill may be introduced in the Assembly.

Section 15. Only the Finance Minister or the member responsible for regional financial matters may introduce any bills with respect to money in the Assembly.

Section 16. The Assembly may reject a Bill or pass it subject to amendments. Once the Bill has been amended by the author, the Assembly must reconsider the Bill, taking into account any amendments and may -

Subsection 1 Pass the Bill, either with or without the amendments; or

Subsection 2 Decide not to proceed with the Bill.

Subsection 3 If such a vote fails to pass after three votes, the Speaker may deny the Bill's entry onto the floor for the remainder of the Government term.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Article VI - The Regional Government
[div style="text-align:center;"]Part I - The Founder[/div]

Section 1. The Founder is Head of State of the Commonwealth of Crowns.

Section 2. The Founder must uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as supreme law of the Commonwealth.

Section 3. The Founder shall strive to promote the unity of the region and that which will advance the Commonwealth.

Section 4. The Founderhas the power entrusted by this constitution and legislation to –

Subsection 4.1. Appoint a Justice of the Crowns Court, or in the absence of the Founder, the Secretary-General can appoint theJustice with approval from the cabinet;

Subsection 4.2. Warn Government;

Subsection 4.3. Grant Honours;

Subsection 4.4. Ratify treaties, however, if the Founder refuses to ratify a treaty, an absolute majority vote from the Assembly may ratify the treaty in question instead;

Subsection 4.5. Conclude peace with other regions; and

Subsection 4.6. Credit and receive diplomats.

[div style="text-align:center;"][span style="font-size:10pt;"]Part II - The Secretary-General[/span][/div]
Section 5. The Secretary-General is Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Crowns.

Section 6. The Executive Authority of the Commonwealth is vested in the Secretary-General.

Section 7. The Secretary-General must uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as supreme law of the Commonwealth.

Section 8. The Secretary-General has the powers entrusted by the Constitution and legislation, including those necessary to perform the functions of Head of Government of the Region.

Section 9. The Secretary-General is responsible for –

Subsection 9.1. Signing Bills

Subsection 9.2. Referring a Bill to the Crowns Court for a decision on the Bill’s constitutionality;

Subsection 9.3. Making any appointments that the constitution or legislation requires the Secretary-General to make, other than Head of Government;

Subsection 9.4. Appointing commissions of inquiry;

Subsection 9.5. Receiving and recognizing foreign diplomats and consular representatives on behalf of the Founder;

Subsection 9.6. Appointing ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives; and

Subsection 9.7. Pardoning or reprieving offenders.

Section 10. The Secretary-General exercises the executive authority, together with other members of the cabinet, by –

Subsection 10.1. Implementing Regional Legislation except where the constitutionprovides otherwise;

Subsection 10.2. Developing and implementing regional policy;

Subsection 10.3. Coordinating the functions of regional departments, secretariats, ministries or administrations; and

Subsection 10.4. Performing any other executive function provided for in the Constitution or in regional legislation.

Section 11. No member may hold office of Secretary-General for more than two (2) consecutive terms, but when a member is elected to fill a vacancy in the office of Secretary-General, the period between that election and the next election of a Secretary-General is not regarded as a term. [Amendment #001]

Section 12. The Commonwealth Assembly, by resolution adopted with a supporting vote of at least two thirds of its members, may remove the Secretary-General from office only on the grounds of –

Subsection 12.1. A serious violation of the Constitution or rule of law;

Subsection 12.2. Serious misconduct; or

Subsection 12.3. Inability to perform the functions of office.

Section 13. Any member who has been removed from the office of the Secretary-General in terms of Section 12, Subsection 12.1, 12.2 or 12.3, may not receive any benefit of that office, and may not serve in any public office for two (2) consecutive terms.

[div style="text-align:center;"][span style="font-size:10pt;"]Part III - The Deputy Secretary-General[/span][/div]
Section 14. Any candidates for Secretary-General shall, when he announces his candidacy, appoint a nation to be his Deputy.
Subsection 14.1. If the Deputy Secretary-General resign, or if he is removed, from his office, or if he is otherwise unable to preform his function, the Secretary-General may appoint another member to be his Deputy, and present his choice to the Assembly for confirmation.

Section 15. When the Secretary-General is absent from the Commonwealth for a period of three (3) days, or otherwise unable to fulfill the duties of Secretary-General, or during a vacancy in the office of the Secretary-General, an office-bearer in the order below acts as Secretary-General –

Subsection 15.1. The Minister designated by the Secretary-General as the Deputy Secretary-General.

Subsection 15.2. The Speaker of the Assembly, if the Deputy Secretary-General is absent or unable to perform his duties, or if he has resigned.

Subsection 15.3. The Minister, Director or Secretariat designated by a vote in the Assembly.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 16. An Acting Secretary-General has the responsibilities, powers and functions of the Secretary-General.

Section 17. Before assuming the responsibilities, powers and functions of Secretary-General, the Secretary-General /Deputy Secretary-General /Acting Secretary-General must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Commonwealth and obedience to the Constitution in accordance with Article 14.

[div style="text-align:center;"][span style="font-size:10pt;"]Part IV - The Cabinet[/span][/div]
Section 18. The Cabinet consists of the Secretary-General, as Head of the Cabinet, and Ministers, Directors, or Secretariats.

Section 19. The Secretary-General appoints the Ministers, Directors, or Secretariats, assigns their powers and functions, subject to this constitution, and may dismiss them.

Subsection 19.1 The Secretary General may select any number of Members to serve as Ministers, Directors or Secretariats[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 20. The Ministers, Directors, or Secretariats are responsible for the powers and functions of the executive assigned to them by the Secretary-General.

Section 21. Members of the Cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Assembly for the Exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.

Section 22. Members of the Cabinet must –

Subsection 22.1. Act in accordance with the Constitution; and

Subsection 22.2. Provide the Assembly with full and regular reports concerning matters under their control, upon request.

Section 23. The Secretary-General may appoint any number of Deputy Ministers, Directors, or Secretariats and may dismiss them at any time.

Section 24. Any Ministers, Directors, or Secretariats and their deputies, before performing their functions, must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Commonwealth and obedience to the Constitution as mentioned in Article 14.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Section 25. No member of the Cabinet may hold multiple office positions, except the Minister, Director, or Secretariat who is selected to serve as Deputy Secretary-General.

Section 26. The Secretary-General may assign to a Cabinet member any power or function of another member who is absent from office or is unable to exercise that power or perform that function.

Section 27. If the Commonwealth Assembly, by vote supported by a majority of its members, passes a motion of no confidence in a member of the Cabinet, excluding the Secretary-General, the member in question must immediately resign.

Section 28. If the Commonwealth Assembly, by a vote supported by two thirds of its members, passes a motion of no confidence in the Secretary-General, the Secretary-General and the other members of the Cabinet must resign immediately.[font color="#f51224"]
[/font]

Article VII - Courts and Administration of Justice
Section 1. The Judicial Authority of the Commonwealth is vested in the Crowns Court, hereafter referred to as “the Court”.

Section 2. The Court is independent and subject to this constitution and the law, which they must apply impartially without fear, favour or prejudice.

Subsection 2.1: A Justice shall be barred from all government positions, and the Speakership. A justice may retain their seat in the assembly.

Section 3. No member or organ of state of the region may interfere with the functioning of the court.

Section 4. An order or decision issued by the court, subject to this Constitution, binds all members of the Commonwealth, never mind their position and or title.

Section 5. The Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and exercises responsibility over the establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of the court.

Section 6. The Crowns Court consists of the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of Crowns, and two (2) other Justices.

Section 7. The Crowns Court is the highest and only court of the Commonwealth of Crowns and may decide on –

Subsection 7.1. Constitutional matters;

Subsection 7.2. Disputes between organs of state, or members of the Commonwealth, or the members and the organs of state.

Subsection 7.3. The constitutionality of any Assembly Bill, but may do so only if requested by the Secretary-General or the Public Protector;

Subsection 7.4. Whether the Founder, the Assembly or any Government official has failed to fulfill a constitutional obligation;

Section 8. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth no later than two (2) days after a new Government term begins. The Secretary-General shall then present his choice to the Assembly for a confirmation vote. In the absence of the Secretary-General, the Cabinet can appoint the Chief Justice by a simple majority vote, and present their choice to the Assembly forconfirmation.

Subsection 8.1. The vote for the confirmation of the Chief Justice shall start as soon as a new Speaker is elected, and shall last for twenty-four (24) hours.

Subsection 8.2. The Chief Justice shall be confirmed by a simple majority.

Section 9. The Chief Justice, shall appoint one Justice no later than five (5) days after being confirmed by the Assembly as stated in Section 8.

Section 10. The Founder shall appoint one Justice no later than two (2) days after a new Government term begins.

Section 11.The Crowns Court, subject to this Constitution, functions in terms of Regional legislation, and their rules and procedures must be provided for in terms of Regional Legislation.

Section 12. The Crowns Court has the inherent power to protect and regulate its own process, taking into account the interest of justice.

Section 13. The Chief Justice and both Justices holds office for the duration of the term of Government, and may serve unlimited consecutive terms.

Section 14. The Chief Justice may be removed from office only by an absolute majority vote of members of the Assembly, in which two-thirds of the votes are required.

Section 15. Justices may be removed from office by a majority vote in the Commonwealth Assembly.

Section 16. All three justices may be removed from office if –

Subsection 16.1. The judges suffer from an incapacity, are grossly incompetent or are guilty of gross misconduct.

Section 17. Regional Legislation may provide for any matter concerning the administration of justice that is not dealt with in the Constitution, including –

Subsection 17.1. Training programmes for Judges;

Subsection 17.2. Procedures for dealing with complaints;

Subsection 17.3. Procedures for dealing with judicial officers; and

Subsection 17.4. The participation of people other than judicial officers in court decisions.

Section 18 – The power of the Crowns Court with respect to the punishments that may be applied shall, subject to this Constitution, be established by Acts of Assembly.

Article VIII - Public Protector
Section 1. The Public Protector is independent, and subject only to the Constitution and the law, and must be impartial and must exercise their powers and perform their functions without fear, favour or prejudice.

Subsection 1.1.The Public Protector shall be barred from all government and Judicial position, as well as the Speakership. The Public Protector may retain his/her seat in the Assembly, but shall have no vote, except in votes for Constitutional Amendments.

Section 2. Other organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect this institution to ensure independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness.

Section 3. No member or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of the Public Protector.

Section 4. The public Protector is accountable to the Commonwealth Assembly, and must report on their activities and the performance of their functions to the Assembly at least once a Government term.

Section 5. The Public Protector has the power, as regulated by Regional Legislation, but subject to this constitution –

Subsection 5.1. To investigate any conduct in state affairs, or in the regional Administration in any sphere of Government, that is alleged or suspected to be improper or to result in any impropriety or prejudice;

Subsection 5.2. To report on that conduct; and

Subsection 5.3. To take appropriate remedial action.

Subsection 5.4: To represent the Commonwealth of Crowns in a court of law.

Section 6. The Public Protector has additional powers and functions prescribed by regional legislation, but no such legislation, except for constitutional amendments, may limit the anything from section 5.

Section 7. The Public Protector may not investigate court decisions.

Section 8. The Public Protector must be accessible to all members of the Commonwealth.

Section 9. Any report issued by the Public Protector must be open to the Commonwealth, unless exceptional circumstances, to be determined in terms of regional legislation, require that a report be kept confidential.

Section 10. The Public Protector shall be directly appointed by the Secretary-General on the advice of the Cabinet no later than two (2) days after a new Government term begins, and shall serve until the end of the government term, or dismissed by an absolute majority vote of the members of the Commonwealth Assembly, or if the office bearer resigns from his/her office.

Section 11. The Public Protector must review the constitutionality of each bill being debated on the floor, and state whether it is constitutional or unconstitutional. In the second case, he/she is to refer the bill to the courts.

Subsection 11.1. Shall the Public Protector fail to comment on the constitutionality of a bill, his assent shall be implicitly noted.

Article IX- Regional Administration
Section 1: Regional Administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, including the following principles –

Subsection 1.1. A high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained;

Subsection 1.2. Efficient and effective use of resources must be promoted;

Subsection 1.3. Regional administration must be development-oriented;

Subsection 1.4. Service must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias;

Subsection 1.5. Members’ needs must be responded to, and the region must be encouraged to participate in policy-making;

Subsection 1.6. Regional administration must be accountable; and

Subsection 1.7. Transparency must be fostered by providing the region with timely, accessible and accurate information.

Section 2. The above principles apply to –

Subsection 2.1. Administration in every sphere of government;

Subsection 2.2. Organs of state; and

Subsection 2.3. Regional enterprises.

Section 3. Regional Legislation must ensure the promotion of the values and principles listed in Section 1.

Article X - Regional Security Services
Section 1. The Regional Security Services consist of a single defence force established in terms of the constitution, hereafter known as “the Defence Force” or “the RSS”.

Section 2. The Defence Force is the only lawful regional military force in of the Commonwealth.

Section 3. The defence force must be structured and regulated by Regional Legislation.

Section 4. The primary object of the Defence Force is to ensure the security of the Commonwealth, itsregional integrity and its members in accordance with the Constitution and the legislation regulating the use of force.

Section 5. A member of the cabinet must be responsible for defence.

Section 6. Only the Secretary-General, as Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the RSS, may authorize the employment of the Defence Force –

Subsection 6.1. In defence of the Commonwealth.

Subsection 6.2. In defence of the Allies of the Commonwealth.

Subsection 6.3. As keepers of the peace in regional disputes.

Section 7. When the defence force is employed for a purpose as mentioned in Subsection 6.1, the Secretary-General must inform the Commonwealth Assembly, promptly and in appropriate detail, of –

Subsection 7.1. The reason for the employment of the defence force;

Subsection 7.2. Any place where the force is being employed;

Subsection 7.3. The number of members involved; and

Subsection 7.4. The period for which the force is expected to be employed.

Section 8. The Secretary-General as head of the regional executive is Commander-in-Chief of the defence force.

Section 9. Command of the defence force may be exercised in accordance with the directions of the Cabinet member responsible for defence, under the authority of the Secretary-General.

Section 10. The Secretary-General as head of Government may declare a state of regional emergency and must inform the Commonwealth Assembly promptly and in appropriate detail the reasons for the declaration.
Subsection 10.1. In the absence of the Secretary-General, the Founder may declare the state of regional emergency.
Subsection 10.2. In the case of the Founder continuously declaring consecutive states of emergency, despite failure of obtaining approval from the Assembly, as set forth in section 12, the matter shall be decided by the court under jeopardy of losing the power vested in him in subsection 10.1. [Amendment; This needs some clarifying: Subsection 10.2. is set forth as a contingency, seeing as we cannot remove the Founder from office as we can the SG should he abuse his power.]

Section 12. A declaration of a state of regional emergency lapses unless it is approved by the Commonwealth Assembly within five (5) days of the declaration.

Section 13. Regional Legislation must regulate the objects, powers and functions of the Defence Force.

Article XI - Finances
Section 1. An Act of Assembly must regulate the regional treasury and prescribe measures to ensure both transparency and expenditure control.

Section 2. An Act ofAssembly must regulate the Commonwealth Central Bank.

Article XII - General Provisions
Section 1. International Law.

Subsection 1.1. The negotiating of all international agreements is the responsibility of the Secretary-General on the advice of theCabinet.

Subsection 1.2. The responsibility of negotiation may be transferred to the Founder or a Cabinet member responsible forForeign Affairs by the Secretary-General.

Subsection 1.3. An international agreement, subject to this Constitution, binds the Commonwealth to its terms only after it has been approved by a majority vote in the Commonwealth Assembly.

Subsection 1.4. All agreements prior and post this constitution's enactment date are to be abided by until they are formally dissolved as per the terms of the individual treaty or by an Act of Assembly.

Section 2. Charters of Rights.

Subsection 2.1. In order to deepen the culture of democracy established by this constitution,the Assembly may adopt a Charters of Rights consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

Section 3. Definitions.

Subsection 3.1. In the Constitution, unless the context indicates otherwise, “Regional Legislation” includes –

Paragraph a. Subordinate legislation made in terms of an Act of Assembly.

Subsection 3.2. “Organ of State” means –
Paragraph a. Any department of state or administration in the regional sphere of government;
or

Paragraph b. Any other functionary or institution –

Sub-paragraph b.1. Exercising a power or performing a function in terms of the constitution.

Article XIII - Election Procedures
Section 1. The length of a term will be two (2) months.

Section 2. The election process for Secretary-General shall be as follows -

Subsection 2.1. The election shall be called by the Founder, or, in the absence of the Founder, the Secretary-General, or, in the absence of the Secretary-General, the Speaker of the Assembly, on the first (1.) day of every odd numbered month.

Subsection 2.2. All candidates for Secretary General shall publicly (On the Regional Message Board / RMB) announce their candidacy, along with the candidacy of their Deputy, before the first day of every odd numbered month. If no candidates announce their candidacy before said date, any candidate announcing their candidacy after the date shall be accepted until there are two candidates.

Subsection 2.3. The polls shall open at 12:00 pm GMT on the fourth (4.) day of every odd numbered month, and the ballot shall include both the name of the candidate for Secretary-General and that of his Deputy.

Subsection 2.4. The polls shall close at the end of the seventh (7.) day of every odd numbered month. (8. day, at 00:00 GMT)

Subsection 2.5. The term shall be set to start the fifteenth (15.) of every odd-numbered month, at which time the Secretary-General shall resign, and the Secretary-General-Elect shall assume the position of Secretary-General.

Section 3. The Election process for Speaker of the Assembly shall be as follows -

Subsection 3.1. The election shall be called by the Speaker at the seventh (7.) day of every odd-numbered month.

Subsection 3.2. Members of the Assembly shall publicly (On the Regional Message Board / RMB) announce their candidacy for Speaker of the Assembly within the tenth (10.) day of every odd-numbered month.

Subsection 3.3. The Speaker shall open the polls on the fifteenth (15.) day of every odd numbered month, and at the same time resign his office.

Subsection 3.4. The polls shall close at the end of the seventeenth (17.) day of every odd numbered month, with the winner assuming the role of Speaker of the Assembly.

Section 4. Should any of the two elections end with a tie -

Subsection 4.1. If there be more than two (2) candidates, there shall be a second vote containing only the two candidates. The second vote shall last for two (2) days.

Subsection 4.2. If in the second vote there is still a tie, in the election for Secretary-General the Founder shall have the deciding vote, while in the election for Speaker, the Secretary-General shall have the deciding vote.

Section 5. An emergency election shall be called by the Founder if -
Subsection 5.1 The general election does not happen on time, or if the election is declared unconstitutional by the Court.
Subsection 5.2. The Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary General and Speaker of Assembly all become absent from the Commonwealth, or if they all resign, or if they are unable to preform the duties of the office of the Secretary-General.

Section 6. The emergency election shall follow the procedures set forth in this Article.
Subsection 6.1. The term following the emergency election shall last until the next general election.
Subsection 6.2. The elected officials shall take office immediately following the emergency election.

Section 7. An Act of Assembly may regulate the electoral procedures of the Commonwealth of Crowns, but so as to not give unfair advantage to any one candidate, but ensure a free and fair election.

Article XIV - Oaths and Affirmations
Section 1. Oath or Solemn affirmation of the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General must swear/affirm on the Regional Message Board (RMB) before assuming office as follows;

“In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as Secretary-General/Deputy Secretary-General/Acting Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Crowns, I (Full name to be stated), swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Commonwealth of Crowns, and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the constitution and all other laws of the Commonwealth; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always –

Promote all that will advance the Commonwealth, and oppose all that may harm it;

Protect and promote the rights of all Commonwealth Members;

Discharge my duties with all my strength and talent to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience;

Do justice to all; and

Devote myself to the well-being of the Commonwealth and all its Members.

This I do solemnly swear”.

Section 2. Each Cabinet member and their deputies must swear/affirm as follows before assuming office on the RMB;

“I, (full name to be stated), swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Commonwealth of Crowns; and I undertake to hold my office as (State full office title) with honour and dignity; to be a true and faithful counsellor; not to divulge directly or indirectly any secret matter entrusted to me; and to perform the functions of my office conscientiously and to the best of my ability.

This I do solemnly swear”.

Section 3. Each judge including the public protector must swear/affirm as follows before assuming office on the RMB;

“I, (full name to be stated) swear/solemnly affirm that, as a Judge (Public Protector) of the Crowns Court (Commonwealth of Crowns if Public Protector), I will be faithful to the Commonwealth, will uphold and protect the Constitution and the rights entrusted in it, and will administer justice to all members alike without fear, favour or prejudice, in accordance with the constitution and law.

This I so solemnly swear”.

Section 4. Each member applying for citizenship must swear an oath of citizenship on the RMB:

“I (full name to be stated), swear to be true and faithful to the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Crowns, and will serve this Commonwealth with the best of my ability.

This I do so swear.”

Osberg-thitania

RawReport