Difference between revisions of "Del Risian Election Council"

Revision as of 16:41, 21 May 2007

A bit about us

Del Risian Election Council is a non-partisan Agency, set up and mandated by the interim pre-government Del Risian Council. We work under the direction of the Top Election Officer, appointed by the Council.

Top Election Officer: Loren Hollister (interim) Assistant Election Officers: Jurgen Menno (interim), Maurizio Catania (interim)

A permanent staff assists the Top Election Officer in carrying out their responsibilities. These include:

• The organisation and conduct of general elections and by-elections in accordance with the provisions of the Temporary Election Act.
• The administration of the Election Finances Act, which regulates political contributions, spending limits, and party/candidate registration, and advertising.

In addition, Returning Officers are appointed for each electoral district and are made responsible, under the direction of the Top Election Officer, for the organisation and conduct of the election in that district.

Day-to-day operations

Because the Del Risian Election Council must be ready for an election at any time, we are continually involved with:

• The review of election procedures.
• The compilation and reporting of election results.
• The conduct of by-elections.
• The training of Returning Officers and other election officials.
• The maintenance of election records for research and historical reference.
• The review, production, and stocking of election forms and materials, including special ballot paper.
• The review of electoral district and polling division boundaries.
• Ongoing communication with the public, the media, and educational institutions.

The Election Process

Election TimeLine

(day 1 is 10 days after previous Gov't is dissolved)

• Day 1-5: Party nominations and selections for local ridings
• Day 6: Party Appointee Lists are submitted to DREC
• Day 6-8: Applications for the Delegation must be filed
• Day 9-19: Politicians may only campaign on these days
• Day 20: Election Day
• Day 21: Parties make nominations for LotG
• Day 22: LotG "Meet and Vote" occurs.
• Day 23: Morning; All members of the Legislature sign Service Oaths
• Day 23-24: LotG's decide on Cabinet nominations
• Day 25: Morning; MAs approve Cabinet. Afternoon; MDs approve Cabinet
• Day 26: LotG's assess memberships to the Guild
• Day 27: LotG's assess Judicial Panel
• Day 28: The Legislature approves Judicial Panel changes (if made)
• Day 31: Citizen's Address is made
• Day 32: New Gov't is formed and a new session of Parliament begins

Election Day

Polls

All polls open at 8:00AM and close at 7:00PM. The day is a National Holiday and everyone (minus emergency personnel and election workers) get the day off work. Voting is mandatory, and heavy fines for not voting are levied.

Compulsory Voting

Every citizen over the age of 16 is required to vote. Failure to do so results in a 100$ fine. Failure to pay this fine within 31 days of the election, a warrant for arrest is issued, and once arrested, the citizen is required to pay a fine 500$ plus costs.

Voting Process

Arriving at the polling station, the citizen produces a government issued ID and signs in. After signing, a ballot is given to the citizen, and directed to a voting booth. Inside the booth, the ballot is marked, using a pencil or black pen.

When the ballot is opened, the voter is presented with at least 3 options. First, the choice to directly elect a representive for the Assembly. Second, a choice for the political party of choice. And third, a choice for the Member of the Delegation.

The voter declares his or her intentions by marking an X clearly in the space beside their choice on the ballet.