Title: The Power to the People Act.
Description: Legislation Passed
Jacques de Beaufort - February 15, 2006 08:20 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
The Power to the People Act of 2006
Article I Name.
1. This act shall be officially cited as the Power to the People Act of 2006.
Article II Commitment to advance democracy.
2. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrian hereby makes a solid commitment to the advancement of democracy and the fulfillment of the will of the people. We recognize that we serve the people who elected us, as well as the Empire we live in and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.
3. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrians shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualifications of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony.
Article III Recall process.
4. The people of the Empire of the Alexandrians have the right to recall elected officials from office should the need for such a right arises. This only applies to national officials and members of Parliament. Recall of provincial officials is firmly within the jurisdiction of provincial law.
5. Recalls of Members of Parliament are initiated by delivering to the Ministry of Interior a petition alleging reason for a recall. Sufficiency of reason is not reviewable. Proponents have thirty (30) days to sign petitions. If the necessary number of signatures is reached before the 30 days needed, the process may move forward.
6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fifteen (15%) of the votes cast in the election for said officer.
7. An election to determine whether to recall an officer and, if appropriate, to elect a successor shall be called by the Prime Minister and held not less than 7 days nor more than 20 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures.
8. A recall election may be conducted within 30 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures in order that the election may be consolidated with the next general election.
9. If there is a majority vote of two-thirds on the question to recall, the MP is removed and, if there is a candidate, the candidate who receives a plurality is the successor. The officer may not be a candidate.
Article IV Initiative process.
10. The initiative is the right of the People to propose statutes and amendments to laws and to adopt or reject them.
11. An initiative measure may be proposed by presenting to the Ministry of Interior a petition that sets forth the text of a proposed statute or amendment to law and is certified to have been signed by at least six (6) active Alexandrian citizens who have the right to vote under the Constitution.
12. The Ministry of Interior shall then submit the measure to the State Electoral Commission at the next general election held. The Emperor may call for a special election for the measure through an Imperial Decree.
Article V Imperial Assent.
13. This act shall not become law until the Emperor has granted His Imperial Assent to it. |
This bill was written by HIH Dauphin Enrique.
Jacques de Beaufort - March 2, 2006 05:46 PM (GMT)
This bill is now open for debate.
Express your opinions and biews on this issue. Debate will end March 10th.
Sincerely,
Jean Michel Leclerc - March 2, 2006 10:19 PM (GMT)
A good act - well written! This has my support.
Joshua Jackson - March 3, 2006 03:41 AM (GMT)
While it is all nice and good to give more freedoms to the people, we are still a monarchy. His majesty still has his god-given right to veto such acts or initiatives.
Pete James - March 3, 2006 04:49 PM (GMT)
I'm affraid I will not be able to suppoet this bill, as sometimes governments have to be cruel to be kind. In theory a good act, but one which in practice would lead to the unstabilising of the nation and possibly a revolution.
Jean Michel Leclerc - March 3, 2006 07:43 PM (GMT)
I can see your point but we have to make sure that non-governmental figures have the ability to participate in the legislative process - if for no other reason than to keep everyone active and interested.
Pete James - March 3, 2006 07:50 PM (GMT)
If the purpose of this is to keep people active, then will they not start these for no reason what so ever? There are other ways to participate than by throughing out elected members of parliament
Jean Michel Leclerc - March 4, 2006 12:46 AM (GMT)
And if those people elected by the people are not acting in their electorates best interests any longer?
Pete James - March 4, 2006 01:14 PM (GMT)
The act will bring unstability to this fine Empire, By supporting this act, I put it to you that you shall be causing the downfall of this nation. A downfall I have to intention of seeing happen. This act is a weapon, multiple times stronger than a nuclear warhead, which will destroy Alexandria.
Matthieu Poiters - March 6, 2006 12:42 PM (GMT)
then vote against it. i for one am not sure yet i see ur point of view.
PM.Poiters. Serving Alexnadria yet again.
Jacques de Beaufort - March 6, 2006 04:11 PM (GMT)
Well I believe this act will bring further democracy to the Empire. It has been seen in the past that residents forom a province wanted to recall their representative for misrepresentation and were not able to do so in any way.
I suggest that we allow people to have the right of recall, but that we make the process even giving the members of government (MP, ministers, and judges) the right to defend themselves either in a court of law or in the Imperial Parliament, this is to avoid the context that so frightens Mr James, and that I certainly do not want to see develop in my beloved Empire.
Sincerely,
Pete James - March 6, 2006 04:27 PM (GMT)
If you do not mind I would like to propose the following:
| QUOTE |
| QUOTE | The Power to the People Act of 2006
Article I Name.
1. This act shall be officially cited as the Power to the People Act of 2006. |
No Problems here
| QUOTE | Article II Commitment to advance democracy.
2. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrian hereby makes a solid commitment to the advancement of democracy and the fulfillment of the will of the people. We recognize that we serve the people who elected us, as well as the Empire we live in and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.
3. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrians shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualifications of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony. |
No Problems Here
| QUOTE | Article III Recall process.
4. The people of the Empire of the Alexandrians have the right to recall elected officials from office should the need for such a right arises. This only applies to national officials and members of Parliament. Recall of provincial officials is firmly within the jurisdiction of provincial law.
5. Recalls of Members of Parliament are initiated by delivering to the Ministry of Interior a petition alleging reason for a recall. Sufficiency of reason is not reviewable. Proponents have thirty (30) days to sign petitions. If the necessary number of signatures is reached before the 30 days needed, the process may move forward. |
No Problems up to this point
| QUOTE | | 6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fifteen (15%) of the votes cast in the election for said officer. |
15% is not enough. It should require over 50% of those who voted for the said officer
| QUOTE | 7. An election to determine whether to recall an officer and, if appropriate, to elect a successor shall be called by the Prime Minister and held not less than 7 days nor more than 20 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures.
8. A recall election may be conducted within 30 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures in order that the election may be consolidated with the next general election. |
No Problems here
| QUOTE | | 9. If there is a majority vote of two-thirds on the question to recall, the MP is removed and, if there is a candidate, the candidate who receives a plurality is the successor. The officer may not be a candidate. |
The election should go ahead as normal and the removed officer should be allowed to attempt to win back his seat.
| QUOTE | Article IV Initiative process.
10. The initiative is the right of the People to propose statutes and amendments to laws and to adopt or reject them.
11. An initiative measure may be proposed by presenting to the Ministry of Interior a petition that sets forth the text of a proposed statute or amendment to law and is certified to have been signed by at least six (6) active Alexandrian citizens who have the right to vote under the Constitution.
12. The Ministry of Interior shall then submit the measure to the State Electoral Commission at the next general election held. The Emperor may call for a special election for the measure through an Imperial Decree. |
The purpose of an elected official is that the people are removed from this part of the process so as not to crowd the parliament. The should be proposed to hte elected official who shall be forced to present them if over 50% of the electorate wish for him/her to do so.
| QUOTE | Article V Imperial Assent.
13. This act shall not become law until the Emperor has granted His Imperial Assent to it. |
No Problems here
|
that concludes my proposals
Joshua Jackson - March 7, 2006 02:04 AM (GMT)
Since the Emperor does have the ultimate power, perhaps this bill should be used to submit the proposals to him? I would be willing to support this if for example the recall is something that is submitted to the Emperor to make the final judgement. In the end, while we do have some democracy, the Emperor should always have a final say.
Jacques de Beaufort - March 7, 2006 06:23 AM (GMT)
Well... I have to say that I agree with Mr James' proposal, and in fact that he has expressed my concerns in two of the proposed ammendments.
15% is NOT enough and 50% should do the trick.
The initiative process should be according to Mr. James proposal.
But the removed officer should be able to try to regain office.
Sincerely,
Pete James - March 7, 2006 05:43 PM (GMT)
If someone would be willing to draw up ammendments to the act I would be grateful as I am not sure of how to word it.
Faithfully,
Pete James
Jacques de Beaufort - March 7, 2006 06:06 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fiftyone (51%) of the votes cast in the election for said officer.
9. If there is a majority vote of two-thirds on the question to recall, the MP is removed and a new by-election will be called by the Prime Minister to fill the possition. The removed officer may not be a candidate. |
These are the ones I have ammended.
Now regarding the initiative process: According to the Constitution every citizen of the Empire is allowed to present bills and resolutions in the Office of the Speaker of Parliament. So I really don't see why it is necessary to even have this initiative process.
Also, the articles above where ammended according to Mr. James proposals. However, what do you think of the time frames used in the Recall process?
And wouldn't it be better if we submitted the officer the people want to remove to a "political trial" in Parliament to determine if he has wronged his constituents, and decide whether he is removed or not.
Sincerely,
Pete James - March 7, 2006 06:28 PM (GMT)
about Art. 9
| QUOTE |
| The officer may not be a candidate. |
in paticular, why not allow him to fight for his/her seat?
Jacques de Beaufort - March 7, 2006 07:52 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Pete James @ Mar 7 2006, 01:28 PM) |
about Art. 9 | QUOTE | | The officer may not be a candidate. |
in paticular, why not allow him to fight for his/her seat? |
Because it was clear that his constituents do not want him there. Also, if the path of political trial were to be taken, then he would have a chance to defend himself before the parliament. Basically when people want to have an officer removed they petition for Trial in the Imperial Parliament and the Parliament itself is the one that will make the ruling on wether the officer may continue to serve in his ministry/court/parliamentary seat/or any other possition.
Sincerely,
Pete James - March 10, 2006 07:44 PM (GMT)
I would like to propose the changing of Art. 6 from
| QUOTE |
6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fiftyone (51%) of the votes cast in the election for said officer. |
to
| QUOTE |
6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fifty percent plus one vote (50% + 1) of the votes cast in the election for said officer. |
If no one has any problems with that.
Faithfully,
hard_right - March 11, 2006 08:17 PM (GMT)
I am in favor with the removal of the initiative process. I am in favor of the 51% for the recall vote as well
There should be a cluase worked in allowing the Emperor to knock down recall processes, like MP Jackson proposeed
Joshua Jackson - March 12, 2006 06:34 AM (GMT)
I don't mind the initiative process. Still, there must be something in it to recognize that the Emperor can stop it. He should always be the first and final authority.
Jacques de Beaufort - March 12, 2006 11:19 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
The Power to the People Act of 2006
Article I Name.
1. This act shall be officially cited as the Power to the People Act of 2006.
Article II Commitment to advance democracy.
2. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrians hereby makes a solid commitment to the advancement of democracy and the fulfillment of the will of the people. We recognize that we serve the people who elected us, as well as the Empire we live in and His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.
3. The Imperial Parliament of the Empire of the Alexandrians shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualifications of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony.
Article III Recall process.
4. The people of the Empire of the Alexandrians have the right to recall elected officials from office should the need for such a right arises. This only applies to national officials and members of Parliament. Recall of provincial officials is firmly within the jurisdiction of provincial law.
5. Recalls of Members of Parliament are initiated by delivering to the Ministry of Interior a petition alleging reason for a recall. Sufficiency of reason is not reviewable. Proponents have thirty (30) days to sign petitions. If the necessary number of signatures is reached before the 30 days needed, the process may move forward.
6. A petition to recall an officer must be signed by eligible provincial voters equal in number to fifty percent plus one vote (50% + 1) of the votes cast in the election for said officer.
7. An election to determine whether to recall an officer and, if appropriate, to elect a successor shall be called by the Prime Minister and held not less than 7 days nor more than 20 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures.
8. A recall election may be conducted within 30 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures in order that the election may be consolidated with the next general election.
9. If there is a majority vote of two-thirds on the question to recall, the MP is removed and a new by-election will be called by the Prime Minister to fill the possition. The removed officer may not be a candidate.
Article IV Initiative process.
10. The initiative is the right of the People to propose statutes and amendments to laws and to adopt or reject them.
11. If a minimum of six (6) citizens of the Empire sign a petition to ammend a law passed by the Imperial Parliament and forward it to the Minister of Interior who shall conduct a national vote on the issue to either adopt or reject the ammendment.
12. The Minister of Interior will conduct the vote no more than two weeks from the proposal of the initiative.
13. The Emperor may stop or advance any intiative process.
Article V Imperial Assent.
14. This act shall not become law until it receives Imperial Assent. |
This is the ammended act according to what was discussed in here. Check it and express your views on it. I changed the initiative process a bit.
Sincerely,
Jacques de Beaufort - March 15, 2006 08:22 PM (GMT)
People,
This bill has been in discussion for 15 days, way over what the law specifies. So we will proceed to vote. The final draft is in the previous post.
Voting Option:
YES
NO
PRESENT
DEFER
Cast your votes.
Sincerely,
Jacques de Beaufort - March 15, 2006 08:24 PM (GMT)
Pete James - March 15, 2006 09:38 PM (GMT)
Joshua Jackson - March 17, 2006 06:24 PM (GMT)
hard_right - March 20, 2006 03:11 PM (GMT)
Jean Michel Leclerc - March 22, 2006 09:09 AM (GMT)
Jacques de Beaufort - March 29, 2006 05:32 PM (GMT)
Voting is now closed. This bill is passed.
Sincerely,
LEGISLATION PASSED