15th Niplomian General Election

This article refers to a General Election in Niploma

History

Niploma has suffered political turmoil in 2006. The 15th GE is the third GE in under a year. The reason for several elections is due to no party being able to gain absolute control in Niploma's lower house the Democratic House. In earnest to solve the problem current PM Torin called an election fully aware he was likely to lose.

New Voting

A major change has occured in Niplomian voting. To try and have the Democratic House as more representative of citizens and also to create a majority the new mixed-member voting system was applied. In this election 200 seats are fought as PVS constituencies (first-past-the-post) whilst the remaining 500 seats are fought under party-list (proportional representation).

Running Parties

• People's Coaliton
• Libertarian Reform Party
• Official Communist Workers Party
• Niplomian Labour Party
• Niploma First

In addition over twenty other parties are running and are highly unlikely to win a single seat. As per usual southern-based parties cannot stand. Also, the Rev. Workers Union has disbanded and ergo is not standing.

Pre-Election

First Poll

Prior to the news of a new election (which was called on 31st May by Torin who planned an election, 'by August') 5,000 Niplomian citizens were asked,

who would you vote in a popular vote if there were a General Election tommorow?

The elections are so:

• Libertarian Reform Party - 44%
• People's Coaliton - 36%
• Niplomian Labour Party - 8%
• Official Communist Workers Party - 7%
• Niploma First - 5%

This is reflective of the recent centrist move by the People's Coalition. Although this was expected to gain votes for PC it simply meant the leftist voters chose the Labour party and the LRP supporters remained loyal under the likelyhood of Government. Luckily for Niploma Niploma First shows a lack of support. It was believed their vote share could increase due to the portrayl that 'democracy is failing' in Niploma. However, it appears voters are more keen to vote on one of the two major parties due to the tough fight no for Government. Regardless, this poll would reflect into the Democratic House as a landslide for the Reformers.

To fight back Peoples Coalition announced they would 'shift left' for Niploma although this was expected to cause huge problems in the Cabinet which is mostly supportive of a free-market. Yet, PM Torin announced that, 'I believe now is the time to shift into gear and 'sweap to the left'. If we win this election our first priority will be the workers'. Commentators predict this could take a sizeable chunk of minor party votes although could lose the PC's 'central status'. LRP announced that its key factor would be the radical change of Niploma. This could lose LRP's statues as a steady party.

Second Poll

The second poll was held on 7th July by the polling organisation 'RES'. The same question was asked and the results were as follows:

• Libertarian Reform Party - 44%
• People's Coaliton -35%
• Niplomian Labour Party - 9%
• Official Communist Workers Party - 6%
• Niploma First - 5%
• 'Others' - 1%