The 1986 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Hintuwan mandates elections for officials at the national, gubernatorial, and local levels every six years, ensuring that governance is rooted in the democratic will of the people. The 2024 Hintuwani General Election is set to take place two months from now, on December 6, 2024. During this national election, all 120 seats in the Kapulungang Bayan, the country's unicameral legislative assembly, will be contested. Gubernatorial and local elections will also be held simultaneously to elect executive and legislative officials in all counties, cities, towns, boroughs, and other administrative divisions of Hintuwan. All citizens of the Commonwealth are guaranteed the right to run for any of these positions without any restrictions based on age, race, or sexual orientation, making Hintuwan’s electoral system notably inclusive.
Political parties, despite being subject to oversight by the Constitutional Court to prevent extremist or secessionist movements, are diverse and widespread, representing a broad spectrum of ideologies. While some radical parties have been banned in the past, the majority of parties remain free to contest elections, contributing to the nation’s dynamic and competitive political environment. There are four major parties currently represented in the Kapulungang Bayan:
All-Hintuwani Forward Bloc (AHFB) - Dominating the Kapulungang Bayan, the AHFB is a self-described "conservative-nationalist-socialist" party. Formed after the fracture of the Royalist-Liberal coalition in the early 2000s, it primarily consists of former Liberal and Royalist MPs. While often labeled as center-left for its support of universal healthcare and raising the minimum wage, the AHFB takes a conservative stance on social issues, opposing LGBTQ+, pro-choice, and Indigenous People's (IP) rights bills. Led by Seferino Bantug, the AHFB promotes "Enlightened Nationalism," focusing on economic prosperity and justice for the Hintuwani people.
Liberal Party of Hintuwan (LPH) - The LPH is a liberal-democratic party that trails the AHFB in parliamentary seats. Historically a centrist party, it evolved from a conservative stance during the Cagalanganista dictatorship era to advocating for women's and LGBTQ+ rights. Although the LPH brands itself as "socially liberal," there remains controversy over whether it is truly liberal due to its past support for fiscal conservatism, tax breaks for SMEs, and looser gun regulations. The party champions "freedom, justice, and solidarity (bayanihan)."
Trade Union Congress of Hintuwan (TUCH) - A social democratic party with considerable legislative influence, TUCH operates as an alliance of MPs with ties to special interest groups. Though not officially socialist, the TUCH maintains links to communist-aligned organizations, including the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Hintuwan (KHM) and the Hintuwani Democratic Front (HDF). The TUCH supports labor rights, agrarian reform, and other pro-worker policies.
League of Christian-Muslim Constitutionalists (LCMC) - A center-right party influenced by Christian democracy and Islamic conservative democracy, the LCMC originated from anti-monarchist opposition in the late 1960s. Focused on economic growth, stronger ties with Dormill and Stiura, and autonomy for Muslim-majority provinces, the LCMC is known for its advocacy of a strong military and religious inclusivity. Despite its focus on economic development, the party is still criticized as being neo-Cagalanganista due to its leadership being dominated by descendants of former dictator Ferdinand E. Cagalangan.
Royalist Party of Hintuwan (RPH) - The smallest elected political party in the Kapulungang Bayan is the Royalist Party of Hintuwan (RPH). It was founded in 1955 to represent the views of the Hintuwani aristocracy and later attracted conservatives who were dissatisfied with the republican faction's anti-monarchy views. In 1974, the royalists formed a filibuster pact with the Liberal Party of Hintuwan (LPH) in protest against the reigning Cagalanganistas and MPs from both parties were subsequently banned from the Kapulungang Bayan. It was re-founded in 1986 as it exists in its current state, and continues to advocate for policies such as national economic self-reliance, secularism, gun control, and stronger cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government.