Elections in East Cerdani
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| Politics of East Cerdani |
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Elections in the Cerdani Democratic Republic take place periodically to elect representatives to the Volkskammer, as well as for each state, provincial and district councils. Elections in all jurisdictions follow similar principles, though there are minor variations between them. The elections for the Volkskammer are held under the national electoral system, which is uniform throughout the country, and the elections for state, provincial and district parliaments are held under the electoral system of each state and territory which are largely uniform with a few exceptions.
Voting is almost entirely conducted by paper ballot and is compulsory for all adults. Informal voting in elections is not significant, but donkey voting is not uncommon. They have, in rare occasions, had a deciding impact in marginal seats in state elections. Volkskammer elections have a guaranteed seat for the Communist Party and two free seats available for other parties or independent candidates.
Volkskammer
Election Day
Each jurisdiction has its own laws and customs as to when elections in the jurisdiction will take place. However, state and provincial elections cannot, by national law, take place within a week before or after the Volkskammer election.
Since 1950, elections have been held on Saturdays. Under the Constitution, the Volkskammer lasts no more than five years after it first meets, but may be dissolved earlier. After the Volkskammer is dissolved or expires, writs for election must be issued within 10 days and the election must be held on a Saturday between 33 and 58 days after the writs have been issued.
Voting
Voting in the national, state and provincial elections is compulsory for all persons registered on the electoral roll. Voting can take place by a person attending in person at any polling place on the election day or in early voting locations, or by applying for and mailing in a postal vote. Absentee voting is also available, but not proxy voting.
Voting in National Elections
National Elections have a number of differences that separate them from the comparatively uniform provincial and district elections. Compared to other elections, voters in most areas are given two ballots instead of a single one. The first ballot consists purely of Communist Party candidates for their state. Voters number the candidates from most to least preferred or simply fold the ballot and put it in the box which is considered to be approval for the list. Voters can also tick an empty box at the bottom of the ballot to disapprove of all candidates. Surveys conducted after elections have indicated a growing trend that non members of the Socialist Revolutionary Party of Cerdani typically fold this ballot or tick the disapproval box before examining any of the candidates which has resulted in a number of controversies.
The second ballot allows for representation from other political parties or independent candidates. Voters number their preferences based on which party and candidate they would wish to see represented in the Volkskammer. How-to-vote cards are usually handed out at polling places by members of the various parties. They suggest how a party supporter might vote for other candidates or parties and how to best preference their votes. In certain areas of the country, some of which rotate every election and are permanent in regional and rural electorates, only the second ballot is given to voters to ensure that the Communist Party is not able attain a supermajority of the seats and exclude fairly elected representatives from the multiple party ballot.
Voting in Provincial & District Elections
Provincial and District level elections function similarly to National Elections but differ in that only a single ballot is given to voters which allows for multiple parties and independent candidates to be elected. Voters number their preferences on the ballot based on which party and candidate they would wish to see represented in the Provincial and District Government respectively.
Privacy arrangements and constitutional law allow for informal and protest votes to take place. At the 2011 national election more than 1.5 million people did not vote or voted incorrectly. Most polling places are schools, community halls or stadiums. Supporters of these places very commonly take advantage of the large number of visitors undertaking fund raising activity, often including raffles, cake stalls and recycling ventures.
National Front
Main Article : National Front The National Front is a broad coalition consisting of all the major political parties and mass movements represented in the Volkskammer.