CLV Jon. I 2020 (Elections)

The purpose of this Act is to make general elections take place every four years where possible, to allow political parties to be used for electoral campaigning while having no impact on parliamentary procedure, to clarify the process to be followed where a single candidate and the option to abstain gain the same number of votes in an election, to make it more difficult for a single person to hold the office of Prime Minister for more than eight years, and to approve the Imperial Decree of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XLVII.

The Monarch or Prime Minister shall only order a general election to take place between the first and the twelfth of February inclusive every four years, the next year to be 2024, followed by 2028, et cetera. Exceptions – to be made in line with Article VI, Section B, Paragraph A of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011 – may only take place:

1. In immediate response to the death, inheritance of the Throne, or unavoidable impending resignation of the Prime Minister;

2. Where such is necessary for the sake of national security and stability upon the joint agreement of the Monarch, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister; or

3. With the authorisation of an Act of Parliament

Paragraph 4 of CXL Jon. I 2020 (Political Parties) is hereby repealed. Political parties may be formed as voluntary associations, and candidates in a local or general election may include in their electoral campaign a claim to belong to a political party.

In regards to XIV Dec. I 2012 (Inconclusive Elections), Paragraph 1 and to Edict IX Jon. I, should the sole candidate in an election receive the same number of votes as the option to abstain, the outcome will be that said candidate has been elected.

In regards to Article VI, Section B, Paragraph C of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, the Monarch shall not approve as a Candidate a Representative who has already served as Prime Minister for more than seven years of the previous eight, except with the approval of the House of Representatives.

1. “more than seven years of the previous eight” will be measured as having been in office as Prime Minister or Acting Prime Minister for 2556 or more days – consecutively or non-consecutively – since the date eight years previous to the date on which the order was given by the Monarch or Prime Minister for the respective General Election to take place.

2. “the approval of the House of Representatives” shall be made by a vote of Representatives to take place on the penultimate day on which Candidates for the respective General Election may be chosen, organised by the Speaker as if for voting on a bill or other business.

As an addendum, in accordance with Article IV, Section D, Paragraph C of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, the House of Representatives hereby grants its approval and consent to the Imperial Decree of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XLVII (decreed on 19 November 2020), thereby making it permanent law.