SPINN: Eyes on the Electorate

[Awesomiasa]

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It is again, that time of the year. South Pacific citizens will be gearing up for elections, perhaps standing in the line, eagerly awaiting the opening of the ballot boxes for them to vote.



Starting today, we here at SPINN will bring you complete coverage of the December 2013 election cycle through a series of articles looking back at this term and anticipating who will be serving high office at the next.



So get your voter information as SPINN brings you coverage of the election from 19 November to 8 December!

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SPINN is an independent, non-governmental entity. Any views or opinions presented in articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or the endorsement of the Government of the South Pacific. Any concerns or clarifications are to be addressed to the author(s) of the article or the Editor-in-Chief.

[Hileville]

Assembly Wheels Turning Slowly

 

The past few months has seen a variety of items proposed in the Assembly.  Discussion have been plentiful and at some times very heated.  Is this really all that different?  Not entirely however this term has seen Assembly business move at an unusually slow pace.  Many of the ongoing discussions have lasted since the beginning of September or October but haven't made it to the voting floor.  We will start with taking a look at the resolutions that made it to a vote.

 
Amendment to Charter Article 2:  Bill of Rights

Passed:  Ayes:  14  -  Nays:  4  -  Abstentions:  1

 
Appointment of Hileville to the CSS

Passed:  Ayes:  11  -  Nays:  0  -  Abstentions:  0

 
Repeal of the Osiris-TSP Treaty

Passed:  Ayes:  13  -  Nays:  1  -  Abstentions:  2

 
Amendment to Charter Article 5:  Cabinet - Adding Deputy Cabinet Officials

Passed:  Ayes:  14  -  Nays:  0  -  Abstentions:  3

 
Amendment to Charter Article 1:  Citizenship

Failed:  Ayes:  10  -  Nays:  5  -  Abstentions:  0

 
Recall of Drugged Monkeys as MoA

Failed:  Ayes:  4  - Nays:  8  -  Abstentions:  2

 

The term has provided us with amendments that overall greatly improve areas of the Charter.  The Amendment on the Bill of Rights gives rights to non-citizen nations that reside in the South pacific and greatly improves on the language.  Adding Deputy Cabinet Ministers as Non-Voting members of the Cabinet will aid in getting new nations involved in the Government.  Adding Hileville to the regions Committee for State Security added another high influence nation to the body in place to look over internal Security.  Drugged Monkeys recall for inactivity failed however he later resigned.  An Amendment to the way the region handles Citizenship also failed but is the subject of an ongoing discussion.

 

The Assembly is currently debating on Judicial Reform as well as amendments to Citizenship, the Army, and the Election process.  The Judicial reform policy is getting closer to a vote but we here at SPINN feel it will take a bit longer.  The recently proposed Omnibus bill on the Army, Citizenship, and Elections will likely be the next bill motioned to support as it has gained wide support from the Assembly.  The Assembly has started a vote on a Non-Aggression Pact with Lazarus which will also serve as a formal repeal for the regions Treaty with 21 votes already being cast.  In 14 hours of voting more votes have been cast than any other Assembly item this term.  This is definitely a good sign for the future of the region.

 

Overall the past term has to be seen as a success.  Chairman Sandaoguo has done well at keeping the Assembly in line although has been criticized for being a tad too political in doing so.   While discussions have been heated and sometimes slow progress has been and is being made on several key areas of regional governance.  Moving forward the region has to look at the happenings in the Assembly as a building brick of a promising future..  SPINN projects Sandaoguo to be a frontrunner for a second term in the Assembly.

[Awesomiasa]

 

A Look Back at Regional Affairs

 

As the election season is coming to a head, it’s high time that we look back at the state of Regional Affairs.

 

The Ministry, headed by newcomer Escade, has indeed seen much progress being made, including the introduction of Resident Spotlight, which brings the region closer to several long-time, prominent and/or former TSPers, including Brutland and Norden, Lands of Headington (Loh) and Hilevile. This is seen as a step by the Ministry to bring fellow TSPers closer, to foster understanding in the region.

 

Furthermore, the Bureau of Cartography, under the leadership of Brutland and Norden, has unveiled a new regional map, which is believed to eventually be the basis for much of the role-playing in this region in time to come. Since the introduction of the map, sign-up rates on the forums have increased exponentially. At the time of writing, an astounding 68 nations have claimed various areas on the map, something unprecedented in history.

 

In addition, with the advent of the World Fair, which the region is playing host to, it is expected that Escade is planning more activities to foster better relations amongst dignitaries of fellow regions. As noted by many, much interest has been aroused by TSP’s proposal.

 

To conclude, it can be said with confidence that the region;s Regional Affairs is at an unparalleled level of activity and also that Escade will, without a doubt, be elected for a second term.

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DISCLAIMER

SPINN is an independent, non-governmental entity. Any views or opinions presented in articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or the endorsement of the Government of the South Pacific. Any concerns or clarifications are to be addressed to the author(s) of the article or the Editor-in-Chief.

Articles published prior to and during the election period do not represent the endorsement of any running candidate by SPINN

[Hileville]

 
Ahead of Nomination Day, the staff here at SPINN are busy speculating possible contenders in the upcoming election.
 
One of the most hotly debated speculations is the coveted positions of Delegate and Vice Delegate. SPINN notes that current Delegate Belschaft has announced that he will not be seeking a second term in Cabinet, while in part dropping a slight hint that newcomers to the Cabinet Escade and Kris Kringle will be predicted to succeed him in this high office.
 

The new generation of TSPers has among it some exemplary figures, who I trust will run the region well and fairly. Escade, Minister of Regional Affairs, and Kringalia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stand out as the leading lights of their generation.

 
Admittedly, running for an office as high as that of the Delegate or Vice Delegate could be somewhat daunting, especially for first-time Cabinet members, but SPINN predicts that with the impressive track record that both Escade and Kris Kringle have shown in the areas of Regional and Foreign Affairs respectively, a clean sweep for their joint ticket, if they were to run, is highly expected.
 
On to the predictions for Chair of the Assembly, which has been described by outgoing Delegate Belschaft as an “all powerful” position, although current Chair Sandaoguo dissents otherwise, claiming,
 

Will I act outside the constraints of what I believe to be the power of the Chair? (In all actuality, you believe the Chair has more power and authority than I believe.) No. I've done nothing to give that impression.

 
The current Chair is expected to run for a second term, although former Foreign Affairs Minister Awesomiasa has hinted for a run as well.
 
Other positions are currently up for grabs, with Regional and Foreign Affairs both being debated amongst the populace as it is unknown who will run for these positions yet, although leaked manifestos have suggested that Unibot will run for the non-official position of Craziest Person in TSP while Arbiter08 will run for Chief Justice.
 
Stay tuned to SPINN as we bring you more election news, speculations and tabloid scandals!

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Written by Associate EiC

[Hileville]

Elections Underway - Escade and Kringalia Frontrunners for Delegate/Vice Delegate

 

Election HQ - Downtown South Pacific...

 

Earlier today the December Election season began with the opening of nominations.  As predicted by SPINN Escade and Kringalia have emerged as the frontrunners and only candidates for Delegate and Vice Delegate respectively.  Both are relatively new to TSP only being in the region since early 2013 but have shown outstanding dedication to the region.  Other positions up for grabs in this bout of elections are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Army, Minister of Regional Affairs, Chair of the Assembly, Chief Justice, and the completely unofficial but always fun Craziest Person in TSP.  The first few hours of nominations have brought three competitive races.

 

The first being Minister of Foreign Affairs in which 3 candidates have declared their candidacy.  Horse, HEM, and UnitedSolarRepublics are the lucky 3 to start being drilled by voters.  Horse and UnitedSolarRepublics are both relatively new to TSP where HEM has been around and served in different positions over the past several years in TSP most recently Vice Delegate under Southern Bellz.  The race is certainly heating up and will be one to watch.  We here at SPINN project a more moderate candidate to step forward and could become the favorite quickly.

 

Chief Justice is a position which doesn't see a whole lot of action in the South Pacific but has two candidates running to take the seat.  QuietDad who was appointed by the Cabinet to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Southern Bellz has accepted his nomination to run.  Arbiter08 a relatively new TSP is hoping to unseat QuietDad.  While an election for Chief Justice is scheduled and couldn't be postponed it is likely to be vacated by changes to the Judicial Branch in the coming days which would elect 3 Justices instead of one Chief Justice.  The candidates in this election would be frontrunners in a Special Election if the new law is enacted.

 

Awesomiasa, Associate Editor-in-Chief here at SPINN, has put his hat in the race for Chair of the Assembly and is the only candidate to do so at this time.  Sandaoguo is still projected to be a frontrunner for a second term if he choses to run.  Awesomiasa does have a shot at unseating the current Chair and this will be a race to watch.

 

No candidates have put their name forward for Minister of the Army or Regional Affairs at the time of this article being written.  In the race for Craziest in the South Pacific, Belschaft and Unibot are going head to head so far.  SPINN predicts several other candidates to enter the race before it moves to the voting stage.

 

Stay tuned to SPINN as we continue to deliver updates throughout the entire Election process.

[HEM]

 

 

We here at SPINN project a more moderate candidate to step forward and could become the favorite quickly.

 

In what ways am I radical?

[Belschaft]

 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 

 

We here at SPINN project a more moderate candidate to step forward and could become the favorite quickly.

 

In what ways am I radical?

 


</blockquote>
I imagine what is meant is that you are firmly in the Independent camp when it comes to that perennial question of GP alignment.

[Sandaoguo]

Don't be too bothered by it, HEM. I was called overly political, probably for the same reason!

[HEM]

Don't be too bothered by it, HEM. I was called overly political, probably for the same reason!

 

I suppose we are both so oppositely radical, we are actually alike 

[Southern Bellz]

HEM you are a radical moderate.

[HEM]

HEM you are a radical moderate.

 

Better than a moderate radical

[Awesomiasa]

 

Ballot boxes have just opened here in the South Pacific.

 

SPINN will draw from publicly available data starting tomorrow, daily at 12:00PM UTC, to provide readers with up-to-date exit polls.

 

Stay tuned to SPINN as we bring you complete coverage of the December 2013 elections.

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[small]DISCLAIMER

SPINN is an independent, non-governmental entity. Any views or opinions presented in articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or the endorsement of the Government of the South Pacific. Any concerns or clarifications are to be addressed to the author(s) of the article or the Editor-in-Chief.

Articles published prior to and during an election period do not represent the endorsement of any running candidate by SPINN

[/small]

[Awesomiasa]

 

Exit poll for 8 December 2013 (data as of 12:45PM UTC)

 

Delegate/Vice Delegate

Escade/Kringalia- 27 votes | RON- 2 votes

 

Chair of the Assembly

Sandaoguo (Glen-Rhodes)- 15 votes | RON- 11 votes | Invalid- 1 vote

 

Minister of the Army

Southern Bellz- 25 votes | RON- 2 votes | Abstentions- 1

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hileville (Hile)- 19 votes | HEM- 7 votes | United Solar Republic- 1 vote | RON- 0 votes

 

Minister of Regional Affairs

Awe (Awesomiasa)- 23 votes | Farengeto- 3 votes | RON- 1 vote

 

Chief Justice

QuietDad- 24 votes | Arbiter08- 1 vote | RON- 2 votes

 

Craziest Person in TSP (Craziest MoFo in TSP)

Uni (Unibot- 5 votes | Bel (Bels/Belschaft)- 5 votes | Rebs (Rebeltopia)- 9 votes | Meow (Meow Zedong/TheGrimReaper)- 3 votes | RON- 2 votes

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[small]DISCLAIMER

SPINN is an independent, non-governmental entity. Any views or opinions presented in articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or the endorsement of the Government of the South Pacific. Any concerns or clarifications are to be addressed to the author(s) of the article or the Editor-in-Chief.

Articles published prior to and during an election period do not represent the endorsement of any running candidate by SPINN

Numbers are from public votes only, private votes by PM are not counted. These numbers are unofficial and provided only as a guide. Statistics are verified independently by SPINN.[/small]

[Southern Bellz]

How is RON allowed to run for every election? :p

[Kris Kringle]

Those Weasley kids are wizards. They bewitched the Election Commission to allow RON to run for all positions.

[Arbiter08]

How is RON beating me!!! He doesn't even have a platform!

[Awesomiasa]

 

Exit poll for 9 December 2013 (data as of 12:00PM UTC)

 

Delegate/Vice Delegate

Escade/Kringalia- 31 votes | RON- 2 votes

 

Chair of the Assembly

Sandaoguo (Glen-Rhodes)- 18 votes | RON- 12 votes | Invalid- 1 vote

 

Minister of the Army

Southern Bellz- 30 votes | RON- 2 votes | Abstentions- 1

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hileville (Hile)- 24 votes | HEM- 7 votes | United Solar Republic- 1 vote | RON- 0 votes

 

Minister of Regional Affairs

Awe (Awesomiasa)- 27 votes | Farengeto- 3 votes | RON- 1 vote

 

Chief Justice

QuietDad- 28 votes | Arbiter08- 1 vote | RON- 2 votes

 

Craziest Person in TSP (Craziest MoFo in TSP)

Uni (Unibot- 6 votes | Bel (Bels/Belschaft)- 5 votes | Rebs (Rebeltopia)- 11 votes | Meow (Meow Zedong/TheGrimReaper)- 3 votes | RON- 2 votes | Write-in- 2 votes

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[small]DISCLAIMER

SPINN is an independent, non-governmental entity. Any views or opinions presented in articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or the endorsement of the Government of the South Pacific. Any concerns or clarifications are to be addressed to the author(s) of the article or the Editor-in-Chief.

Articles published prior to and during an election period do not represent the endorsement of any running candidate by SPINN

Numbers are from public votes only, private votes by PM are not counted. These numbers are unofficial and provided only as a guide. Statistics are verified independently by SPINN.[/small]

[Rebel-topia]

So far 33 vote high. Not even close to 100%, but a decent turnout so far...

[Arbiter08]

What is 100%?

[Kris Kringle]

So far 33 vote high. Not even close to 100%, but a decent turnout so far...

 

It's pretty decent compared to our previous election at least.

 

 

<div>
What is 100%?

</div>
 

All citizens.

[Southern Bellz]

I think it's pretty messed up how many RONs GR is getting.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[Kris Kringle]

Indeed. I really thought RON in that particular election would be non existent.

[Arbiter08]

How many citizens do we have on the forum?

[Hileville]

157.  I believe I have the list up to date.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqCj7Gv_2W_MdEZhOTBXZDE3Z2NDME5SYmdQRmtZbWc&usp=sharing

 

A lot will probably be removed once the new law is enacted on forum posts.  Kring and I will have a lot of work to do.

[Arbiter08]

Wow, if you need help I might be able to lend a hand.