NationStates Jolt Archive


Naashan Elections

Naasha
14-10-2007, 22:52
Following the handover of government from the paramilitary UNNS group to the current Naashan Democratic Party, several key agreements were signed between the two groups, forming the basis of the Naashan constitution. Key among these agreements were the introduction of local governance for Naashan territories, substantial reduction in military influence on policy and the formation of a republic to replace the former Imperial government.

In the years since the treaty, the new elected government have worked steadily to adhere to it's guidelines. A National Assembly for Surdun and increased representation for the Naashan Islands have substantially altered the balance of politics in the country and although the military has been modernised, it is now organised and well regulated.

Having served the agreed initial term in office when taking up the leadership of Naasha's first democracy, Prime Minister Darren Renner is now obligated to call an election. It is also a perfect time for the formation of the new republic's governmental structure, which was reviewed and passed unanimously by the Naashan and Surdunni Assemblies.

The following changes are due to come into effect once the election is over:

The titles of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will be changed to President and Vice President respectively.
All government positions with the title 'minister' will be changed to 'secretary'.
The Naashan and Surdunni Assemblies will be dissolved to be replaced with independent national Congresses, with the power to propose, review and enact changes to the laws of the nation they represent.
The Island Councils of all Aegean Island territories will be dissolved to be replaced by a third national Congress.
Seats on all three national Congresses will be voted on once every four years, seats will be allocated via regional majority.
A Naashan Senate will be formed, with the power to write, review and enact changes to any law they see fit, they will also review and proposed changes to the law by national Congresses and vote to block their enactment if they feel it is necessary.
The twelve seats on the Senate will be elected by the national Congresses once every four years.
The President will be elected by a national vote once every six years.
The President may appoint onto his staff any person he sees as qualified, they may be impeached by a two thirds majority vote of the Senate.
The Senate has the right to call a vote of no confidence in the President if a two thirds majority is reached. A vote of no confidence is conducted in every national Congress, with a two thirds overall majority required to dissolve the current government and force a Presidential election.
In the event that the Senate is voted to be failing to fulfill its duties by a two thirds majority of any national Congress, the Senate will be dissolved pending review by the President.


Presidential and Congressional elections will run simultaneously, with Senate appointments due to conclude within two weeks of the formation of the new government. Below is a summary by each Presidential candidate, their party and manifesto, along with their popularity as shown by current polls.

Note that the Naashan constitution forbids the direct contribution of campaign funds by foreign governments to national parties. Contributions by businesses, private citizens and other groups are permissible provided they have a registered home or premises within Naasha.

Naashan 2009 Presidential Elections

Registered candidates:

Darren Renner, Naashan Democratic Party (NDP)
Andrew Marke, Naashan Conservative Party (NCP)
Andrea Smith, Green Party (GP)
Lucas Symonds, Naashan National Party (NNP)
Abraham Yunni, Surdunni Independence Party (SIP)

Naashan Democratic Party

Candidate: Darren Renner (currently Prime Minister)

Summary: "These are times of change and who better to lead the country through change than a man who has been doing so for the past three years? Under my direction, Naasha will continue to grow as an economic and political power, both in the region and in the world. I continue to support Naasha's membership of the Nova Europan Alliance and the fostering of relations with the eastern members of the continent, who I believe have an important role to play in the future of this land."

Key Policies:
Home:

Continued open borders and easy immigration policies.
Division of power to local governments, under the guidance of central government in Naasha.
Foreign:

Continued participation in the NEA and its current structure.
Fostering of friendly relations with the whole continent, focusing on eastern nations which Naasha has had little contact with previously, particularly the Maldorians.

Economy:

Promote economic growth by strict control of interest rates and increased business subsidies.
Focus on expanding trade horizons and importing cheaper goods for the good of the consumer.

Environment:

Proposed National Environment Act, which will regulate all forms of pollution to acceptable levels and task local government with enforcement and cleanup responsibilities.
Committed to expansion into renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and tidal power generation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal and gas imports.


Naashan Conservative Party

Candidate: Andrew Marke

Summary: "I believe in a politically strong and stable Naasha. On the home front I will achieve this by extending greater powers and resources to local law enforcement agencies so that a repeat of the incidents in Viir may not be repeated. On the international stage, I feel that Naasha needs to increase our military strength and readiness, as well as political clout. I feel that now is the time to be reinforcing relationships with our traditional allies in The World Soviet Party, Trivalvia and Ezaltia, while establishing ties with the nations most stable and similar to ourselves in Nova Europa, such as SaintB and Siriusa."

Key Policies:
Home:

Increased investment in law and order, particularly in unruly areas.
Social responsibilities and community support.
Establishment of a strong central government in Naasha.

Foreign:

Increased defence spending.
Increasing regional influence through the use of traditional allies.
Presenting a strong and united front to the international community.

Economy:

Protect local businesses by raising tariffs on non-Nova Europan goods.
Abolish subsidies to better competition in the domestic markets, pull out of international markets if they become infeasible.
Develop traditional industries such as agriculture, mining and steel working.

Environment:

Invest in nuclear power in order to eliminate the need for fossil fuel use in electricity generation.


Green Party

Candidate: Andrea Smith

Summary: "The period of economic growth enjoyed by Naasha in the last few years is not sustainable if businesses are not properly regulated to reduce their impact on the environment."

Key Policies:
Home:

Reinforce social and ethical responsibilities of the individual.

Economy:

Greater regulation of business and the economy.
Promote sustainable business growth.

Environment:

Invest in research in clean, sustainable energy sources.
Use of nuclear power in the short term, with long term focus on renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar and wind.
Eliminate pollution by business or the individual wherever possible.
Invest in conservation of wildlife and re-introduction of lost species.


Naashan National Party

Candidate: Lucas Symonds

Summary: "Naasha can only lose on the international stage in the long run. A complete withdrawal from relations with all but our closest allies is necessary. Local industry should be protected at all cost for the good of the worker."

Key Policies:
Home:

Strict immigration controls.
Closing borders and reducing foreign traffic flow.

Foreign:

Withdrawal from the NEA.
Withdrawal from international arena, closure of embassies and expulsion of foreign diplomats.

Economic:

Protection of local industries by raised tariffs and import bans.
Subsidies to traditional sectors such as steel and automobile manufacture.


Surdunni Independence Party

Candidate: Abraham Yunni

Summary: "Surdun and the Aegean Islands deserve seperation of power and jurisdiction from mainland Naasha. The ultimate goal of my government would be the establishment of Surdun as a sovereign nation."

Key Policies:
Home:

Greater powers to local and national governments.
Reduction of review and interference by central government.

Economic:

Development and growth of industry in Surdun and the Aegean in order to promote self-sustainability.

Environment:

Promote soil conservation to reduce desertification in Surdun.


Each candidate (excluding the NNP candidate) will be pleased to answer any questions addressed to them by foreign media and would be pleased with the endorsement of foreign governments and businesses to help in their electoral campaign.
Naasha
14-10-2007, 23:31
OOC:

Note that the Naashan constitution forbids the direct contribution of campaign funds by foreign governments to national parties. Contributions by businesses, private citizens and other groups are permissible provided they have a registered home or premises within Naasha.

Furthermore, it's spelt Surdun, not Surdan.

I'm not going for the generic 'Here's my election, give money to the guys you like the best' kind of thread. This is more of a reference thread, to show people what politics are like in Naasha and to give them a preview of what kind of policies they are likely to encounter should the election swing a certain way.

I'm all for declarations of support and/or shady campaign contributions from anyone, but I do expect the opening post to be read through first.

IC:

Dear Empress Redmark,

The Surdunni Independence Party politely declines your offer, as the constitution forbids us from accepting monetary contributions from foreign governments. We thank you for your support, however.

Sincerely,
Nathalie Tannov,
SIP Campaign Manager.
The World Soviet Party
14-10-2007, 23:40
Official Communique

We hereby announce our support for Prime Minister Darren Renner, he has proved to be an able leader for his nation during times of strife as well as a noble and trusty ally.
Vontanas
14-10-2007, 23:57
Official Government Telegram:
To: The Surdun Independence Party
From: The Democratic Empire of Great Vantania
Very well, however, we will still contribute with a donation of supplies: one hundred personal computers, gasoline, a private jet, five thousand ready made posters, ten thousand pamphletes on your positions, five thousand bumper stickers, five thousand pins, and one thousand boxes of coffee. May these supplies serve you well.
Naasha
15-10-2007, 00:00
We would be pleased to accept your donation. We hope to gain considerable ground in Congressional elections this year and your help will go a long way towards that goal.

Sincerely,
Abraham Yunni,
SIP Presidential Candidate.
Naasha
15-10-2007, 20:35
www.n1-news.na

Election Latest
Keeping you up to date with the most comprehensive news service in Naasha.


Expected voter turnout rises to 95% as election campaigns heat up.

With the arrival of the first ever Presidential election in Naashan history, recent opinion polls have revealed that over 95% of the eligible populace are intending to cast their ballot later this month. The introduction of postal voting has been hailed as one of the key motivators, allowing the less mobile to vote from within their own homes.

A door to door survey by market analysts Stats, Figures and Trends, puts Darren Renner's Naashan Democratic Party as favourites in the Naashan Congress with 40% of people saying they would vote to prolong Renner's stay in office. The Naashan Conservative Party is expected to gain the second most number of seats, with the Green Party and NNP trailing behind despite a high approval rating in international polls.

The current Prime Minister's attendance at the Sussex Conference has earned him popularity across the nation, according to the Telegraph, with 70% of Naashans 'strongly approving' of the Nova Europa Alliance. Amongst the other candidates, Andrew Marke of the NCP gained support in the important frontier seat of Kinnarn by mentioning that he would push for an increase in defence spending and allocation along Naasha's border with the Maldorians.

In a speech to residents of the northern city, Marke made it clear that "the security of Kinnarn and eastern Naasha from Eastern Powers aggression would be among my primary goals as President." Concern over the rise of the Eastern Powers is expected to boost popularity for the NCP and the Nationalist Party.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/Caliyen/Nationstates/SurdunProvinceFLag.png
The Surdunni independence party has surged to third in local polls thanks to widespread international support.

Defying the predictions of Modern Naasha magazine, the fringe party has put forward a candidate for the election and looks set to win traditional nationalist seats in Surdun. Internal strife and a lack of funds leading up to the election led the popular magazine to write off the SIP in its 'Politics of the Sands' column.

But surging support in international polls and a much needed donation of campaign supplies from the Democratic Empire of Vantania has helped boost popularity for the party in the run up to voting for the national Congress. While not expected to make any headway into Naasha this year, the Presidential candidate Abraham Yunni has stated that he is hopeful of gaining seats in the Aegean Islands Congress. Such a stride could see the party taking a real foothold in the campaign for autonomy.
Vontanas
15-10-2007, 23:20
Official Government Telegram:
To: The Surdun Independence Party
From: The Democratic Empire of Great Vantania
Congratulations, and to tip things farther in your favor we will give one final donation of: one hundred laptops, fifty midsized ships, ten thousand ready made posters, ten thousand pamphletes on your positions, ten thousand bumper stickers, ten thousand pins, ten skywriting airplanes, twenty copies of the Ultimate Speech Guide, and fifty monkies w/typewriters to write the great Naashan/Surdunni/Aegaen/Whatever epic*. May these supplies/monkies serve you well.

*Most likely on striving for regional independence.
Naasha
15-10-2007, 23:27
Current poll results:
(Stats, Figures and Trends magazine)

Presidential Election:

Darren Renner (NDP) 45%
Andrew Marke (NCP) 35%
Andrea Smith (GP) 10%
Abraham Yunni (SIP) 7%
Lucas Symonds (NNP) 3%

Naashan Congress:

Naashan Democratic Party 40%
Naashan Conservative Party 40%
Green Party 19%
Naashan National Party 1%

Surdunni Congress:

Naashan Democratic Party 50%
Surdunni Independence Party 25%
Naashan Conservative Party 20%
Green Party 5%

Aegean Congress:

Naashan Conservative Party 50%
Naashan Democratic Party 30%
Green Party 15%
Surdunni Independence Party 5%
Naasha
15-10-2007, 23:30
Official Government Telegram:
To: The Surdun Independence Party
From: The Democratic Empire of Great Vantania
Congratulations, and to tip things farther in your favor we will give one final donation of: one hundred laptops, fifty midsized ships, ten thousand ready made posters, ten thousand pamphletes on your positions, ten thousand bumper stickers, ten thousand pins, ten skywriting airplanes, twenty copies of the Ultimate Speech Guide, and fifty monkies w/typewriters to write the great Naashan/Surdunni/Aegaen/Whatever epic*. May these supplies/monkies serve you well.

*Most likely on striving for regional independence.

Thank you for your continued donations to our campaign, unfortunately I must refuse your offer of the ships as the SIP really has no need of these and to accept them would make your offer appear as a bribe. We will also only require the one skywriting airplane, although a manual may come in useful with it.

Your continued support will help us in gathering influence both in the Surdunni Congress and nationwide.

Sincerely,
Abraham Yunni,
SIP Presidential Candidate