Democracy Index II — Closed

[Keltegistan]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected? Appointed by the legislature

How is the head of government selected? Appointed by the head of state

How are members of the cabinet selected? Appointed by the head of government

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected? Democratically elected

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote? The President (the head of state) has the power to veto or alter any legislation passed by the legislature as they wish

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature? The head of state has the ability to set public policy as well as the legislature

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote? around 60%

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election? 8%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions? No. All opposition political parties are either banned or heavily restricted in their activities, and only seasoned politicians or those with a degree in law can apply for office

Is voting voluntary? Yes

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons? Yes

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime? No, but political prisoners cannot be subject to capital punishment

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution? No (see above response)

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters? No

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate? No. Opposition parties are restricted and sometimes banned, and the government goes to great lengths to ensure voter suppression in areas known to vote against the ruling party. Also, election results are extensively tampered with by the government to ensure party victory.

[Anentova]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected?The Head of State is elected by the members of the majority party of Parliament.

How is the head of government selected?The Head of Government is elected by the Popular Vote.

How are members of the cabinet selected?The Majority Party, mainly the Executive Director elects the number of members and who they will be.

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected?With the Parties running for its candidates, the popular vote of the citizens will determine the legislators of each administrative division.

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote?When, by orders of the Supreme Power of Justice, a violation of the Constitution is decreed, in which, it may suspend its activities indefinitely.
By Constitution there are limits of each legislator.

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature?The Legislative Power is the only center capable of decreeing, approving and repealing laws.
The Executive Power has the possibility of participating in these activities like any legislator.

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote?90%

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election?80%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions?Citizens are free to run as independent candidates as long as they meet the established requirements.

Is voting voluntary?Mandatory but not forced vote

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons?It will only censor after the Telecommunications and Free Expression Council decrees necessary censorship, in several cases, for hate speech.

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime?The State will respect all public opinion carried out, even when they meet the established government.

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution?Yes, but the police needs to have presence to protect the movements.

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters?Sometimes

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate?Yes

[Post War America]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected? The Head of State is selected during the Parliamentary elections, with Presidential Candidates selected from among the parties running for office or running as independents. Partisan candidates are selected by the party before the election, independents run as independents. During the general election, voters vote for president and party in parliament with the most votes for president being the winner, defaulting to party totals.

How is the head of government selected? Prime Minister is selected during congressional elections, with the cabinet being formed from apportionment of the general proportional vote of the Congress of Unions. Prime Minister is then elected from among the Cabinet by the Cabinet with the Seniormost member usually winning the vote.

How are members of the cabinet selected? Apportioned during Congressional elections, the largest party getting 3 seats, the second getting 2, the third, fourth, and fifth receiving one Cabinet position each.

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected? Parliament members are elected every two years under a proportional representation system with elections being conducted among the general public. The Congress of Unions elects members every three years, with the each of the five largest Union groups each being given 50 of the seats available in the Congress. Seats are apportioned proportionally among each of the Union caucuses with the sum total of each Union forming the Congress.

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote? Legislation requires a simple majority to pass, however, it can be vetoed by the President or Prime Minister, then requiring 2/3rds majority to pass. Legislation is also subject to judicial review. Constitutional amendments require 2/3s approval and ratification by the Districts of the Commonwealth.

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature? No

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote? 99.6%, felons currently incarcerated are not allowed to vote until the concurrence of their sentence or until on parole.

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election? 68%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions? Yes

Is voting voluntary? Yes

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons? No

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime? Hate Speech is punishable by fine.

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution? Yes

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters? Yes

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate? On a national level, yes. However, the Veiled Isle Autonomous District (representing some 16% of the population) was subject to a report stating that some voter intimidation was employed by Keldon Sepratists during the 2068 Territorial elections.

[Bulgurdia]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected? The first-born son of the king takes power when the king dies. If the son cannot rule for a certain time, such as being a minor, a pre-selected regent takes charge of the country.

How is the head of government selected? The monarch serves as head of government.

How are members of the cabinet selected? They are selected by the king when they take power.

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected? Parliament members are voted in by popular vote.

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote? The monarch has final authority of whether a law is passed, repealed, or amended. He may refuse the bill, going back to the parliament for amendment. If the second bill does not receive the king's approval, it is scrapped entirely.

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature? No. The king also rules by decree, which includes the right to dissolve parliament at any time.

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote? 95%

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election? 97.8%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions? Yes

Is voting voluntary? Yes

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons? No, however the king has the right to censor media at any time.

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime? Yes.

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution? Yes.

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters? Yes.

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate? Yes. Obstruction of voting in parliamentary elections in any way is a crime.

[Haeykha]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected?

By popular election

How is the head of government selected?

By State Assembly (legislature)

How are members of the cabinet selected?

By head of state, approved by State Assembly

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected?

Members from parties are selected by their party leaders to join the State Assembly, seats proportional to general election votes.

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote?

Head of state has veto power, which can be overturned by 2/3 majority

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature?

No

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote?

85%

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election?

80%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions?

No

Is voting voluntary?

No, but not voting isnt criminal

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons?

Yes

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime?

No

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution?

Yes

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters?

No

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate?

No

[Montevento]

I. The executive branch
How is the head of state selected? The Doge of the Republic is democratically elected by all citizens living in Montevento at the time of elections (citizens outside the country are not allowed to vote) who are above 18 years old and are not imprisoned. Elections are held every 4 years and usually consist of two rounds of voting. During the first round, all candidates of all participant political parties are allowed to take part. To be elected as Doge during the first round of voting, a candidate must obtain at least 50% of the valid votes. If no candidate manages to obtain that amount of votes, a second round is held where only the two most voted candidates from the first round participate. The candidate with most votes during the second round is elected as Doge.

How is the head of government selected? The head of government and head of state are the same person in Montevento (the Doge of the Republic)

How are members of the cabinet selected? All cabinet members are appointed and dismissed by the Doge of the Republic as he/she pleases. The National Council (Montevento's legislature) can dismiss a cabinet member by simple majority (1/2 of the total members), but can not appoint a replacement.

II. The legislature
How are members of the legislature selected? The 250 councillors of the National Council are selected using the results of the first round of the national elections, giving a proportional amount of seats according to the percentage of the votes obtained by each political party during that round. The second round does not affect the composition of the National Council.

What restrictions are placed upon the ability of the legislature to pass, repeal, or amend legislation or the Constitution with majority vote? The National Council is free to make any changes to legislation with a majority vote, but any law can be vetoed by the Doge of the Republic. This veto is mostly used only to delay laws, as this veto only forces the National Council to debate the piece of legislation again, amending it to please the Doge or pass it again without changes. A law can only be vetoed once.

Constitutional amendments can only be passed with 3/4 of the National Council voting for it, and even after being approved by the National Council, the amendment must be approved by the citizens of Montevento in a national referendum obtaining at least 50% of the total votes.

In addition, any action taken by the National Council is subject to approval of the Supreme Court of Justice, who reviews all laws to berify they comply with the constitution of the Republic and do not go against the human rights of its citizens.

Does the ability to set public policy rest solely within the legislature and departments dependent upon the legislature? No, the Executive Power has the power to issue decrees (issued by the Doge of the Republic or Provincial Governor).

III. Participation
What percent of the population above the age of majority is eligible to register to vote? 91% - Only imprisoned citizens, citizens involved in "dishonourable" activities (such as being part of terrorist groups or other criminal organisations), citizens with a mental illness that does not let them act in a free and reflexive and citizens living outside Montevento are not allowed to vote if they are above 18 years old.

What was the voter turnout among the eligible population for last election? 93%

Are all eligible citizens of age allowed to run for office regardless of their partisan loyalties or other conditions? Yes, all citizens of Montevento are allowed to run for any office, assuming they fulfil the age requirement for the office they intend to run for.

Is voting voluntary? No. All citizens of Montevento have to register to vote and effectively vote in National Elections, Provincial Elections and Referendums. Failing to vote without a valid excuse is prone to fines and being unable to work for the state or study at the Public University of Montevento for a period of up to 4 years.

IV. Dissent
Does the state censor any media for political reasons? No. All media, no matter their political ideology is allowed to operate freely in Montevento, unless it actively encourages the use of violence against citizens of the Republic or against the government institutions.

Are residents allowed to express any speech free from censorship or persecution from state institutions, exempting fraud, libel, and incitement to violent crime? Yes, freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Constitution of Montevento.

Are residents allowed to form non-violent and non-obstructive demonstrations against the government without fear of persecution? Yes.

Is state-owned or publicly funded media impartial and non-partisan, reporting objectively and allowing a platform for popular dissenting positions when discussing political matters? Yes.

V. Electoral integrity

Are elections fair, with results reported objectively and without the use of voter intimidation or other means of preventing eligible citizens from voting for their preferred candidate? Yes. Voting in Montevento is controlled by the Electoral Court, which ensures the process in transparent and fair, allowing media to be present when votes are counted to witness that no irregularities happen, as well as informing the citizenry of the voting process. Voting is secret and performed in closed rooms where the voter enters alone to ensure that no one can actually know his/her vote.