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Bill: Flex-District Abolition Act
Details
Submitted by[?]: Workers' Solidarity Movement
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This bill asks for an amendement to the Constitution. It will require two-thirds of the legislature to vote in favor. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: July 3436
Description[?]:
| [PREAMBLE] A BILL to eliminate the undemocratic "flex-district" arrangement, by which one Province gets one fewer seat; and for connected purposes. [PROVISIONS] Article 1 - Number of Parliamentary seats (1) Article 2(1) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Rutania shall be amended as follows: replace "599 members" with "600 members" (2) The number of Parliamentary seats must be exactly divisible by the number of Provinces. Article 2 - Distribution of Parliamentary seats (1) Seats in Parliament will continue to be distributed as per the prevailing legislation created under Article 13(2) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Rutania. (2) Where legislation created under Article 13(2) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Rutania requires that any Province have a number of Parliamentary seats that differs from the number that Province would have if the seats had been divided equally, the legislature of that Province shall resolve to accommodate that difference in seat numbers. (3) When a provincial legislature makes a resolution under Article 2(2) above, the resolution may only take effect if approved by the Federal Elections Board. [APPENDIX] Article 3 - Appendix (1) As per Article 2(2) of the Parliamentary Etiquette Law, this Bill asks for an amendment to the Constitution and thus shall be put to a vote of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Rutania no earlier than April 3435. (2) As per Article 14 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Rutania, this Bill asks for an amendment to the Constitution and thus shall only be adopted with a two-thirds majority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Rutania. (3) Repealing this law will require a two-thirds majority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Rutania. (4) Repealing/amending any Provisions will require a two-thirds majority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Rutania. (5) This law will come into effect immediately upon its passage. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change The total number of seats in the legislative assembly. Should be between 75 and 750.
Old value:: 599
Current: 650
Proposed: 600
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 22:49:56, February 02, 2013 CET | From | Urban Party of Rutania | To | Debating the Flex-District Abolition Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, There is no need to tinker with the amount of seats in the Parliament. For hundreds of years, we've had 599 seats and we see no positives in adding an extra seat. Besides, having 600 seats ensures that ties can occur. Gordon Millner UPR Congressional Leader |
| Date | 02:16:12, February 03, 2013 CET | From | Workers' Solidarity Movement | To | Debating the Flex-District Abolition Act |
| Message | Mr Speaker, Does the Leader of the UPR not see an obvious inequality in the present system? Can he explain to the people of Delvar Province why they have less representation in this Parliament, despite having no substantive difference in population? Benjamin Brennan General Secretary of the Workers' Solidarity Movement |
| Date | 18:49:37, February 03, 2013 CET | From | Urban Party of Rutania | To | Debating the Flex-District Abolition Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, The present system allows for there to be 599 seats without inequality. It is up to the Provinces themselves to designate which district is flexed. In the case of most Provinces, the district with the least amount of people is flexed. Also, the amount of seats in the Parliament per Province is dependent on the population. Since there are 599 seats and 5 provinces, that means each province is allowed a total of 120 seats. However, the smallest province, in terms of population, shall be allocated 119 seats. Now each province has 40 districts, with 3 representatives to a district, thus this allows for 120 seats. Because of that one province having 119 seats, the smallest district will have 2 representatives instead of the usual 3. Gordon Millner UPR Congressional Leader |
| Date | 14:00:47, February 04, 2013 CET | From | Workers' Solidarity Movement | To | Debating the Flex-District Abolition Act |
| Message | Mr Speaker, He hasn't answered my question. He has just incorrectly restated the current situation. In most Provinces (including Delvar, the Province current afflicted by this patently unfair arrangement) the flex-district is the largest district, not the smallest. I understand the system, Mr Speaker, that's how I can understand why it's wrong! Regardless, I ask my question again. Can he explain to the people of Delvar Province why they have less representation in this Parliament, despite having no substantive difference in population? He can't explain it, because there is no reason! I call on the UPR Leader to give up his ridiculous position, and vote for this change for the sake electoral fairness. Benjamin Brennan General Secretary of the Workers' Solidarity Movement |
| Date | 00:21:48, February 05, 2013 CET | From | Minarchist League of Rutania | To | Debating the Flex-District Abolition Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, The fact is this proposal will allow for a tie, which simply cannot be allowed. The difference in seats in comparison to other provinces is insignificant enough to overlook. If you suggested an odd number of seats that would suit your goal, then I would support it. Allen Windsor Prime Minister of Rutania |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||
| yes | Total Seats: 0 | |||
| no | Total Seats: 502 | |||
| abstain | Total Seats: 97 |
| Random fact: The voters enjoy active parties who take upon themselves the initiative to create laws. |
| Random quote: "It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is." - Bill Clinton |