Part I- Preliminary

Section 1- Title and effect

1. This Act shall be known as the Civic Participation and Elections Act, 2026.
2. This Act shall have effect immediately upon the Constitution of the Hokorian State coming into force.

Section 2- Interpretation

1. “Election” means a process to select Members of Parliament by vote of citizens.
2. “Ordinary election” means an election held at the end of a parliamentary term.
3. “Snap election” means an election called before the end of a parliamentary term.
4. “By-election” means an election held to fill a vacancy in Parliament.
5. “Referendum” means a vote of citizens on a public question or constitutional amendment.
6. “Petition” means a formal request submitted by citizens to the Parliament.
7. “Candidate” means a person standing for election to Parliament.
8. “Member” means a Member of Parliament.
9. “Vacancy” means an unfilled seat in Parliament.
10. “Political party” means an organised group registered under this Act to contest elections.
11. “Electoral authority” means the Koru acting under this Act.

Part II- Elections and Parliamentary Composition

Section 3- Composition of Parliament

1. The Parliament shall consist of 7 Members:
   • All Members shall be elected by citizens,
   • Each Member shall hold one seat.
2. Members shall serve a term of three months.
3. Members may stand for re-election without limit.

Section 4- Right to vote and stand

1. Every Hokorian citizen shall have the right to vote in elections:
   • Voting shall be free and equal,
   • No citizen shall be unjustly excluded.
2. Every Hokorian citizen shall have the right to stand as a candidate if they:
   • Are a citizen at the time of registration,
   • Are not subject to a current removal from office under this Act,
   • Are not currently serving a sentence for an electoral offence,
   • Have submitted a valid candidacy registration under Section 5.
3. Every citizen shall have the right to campaign lawfully.

Section 5- Candidacy registration

1. A person shall become a candidate only upon registration:
   • Registration must be submitted to the electoral authority,
   • Registration must include the candidate’s identity and confirmation of eligibility.
2. Timeframes for registration:
   • For an ordinary election or referendum, registration shall remain open for 7 days,
   • For a snap election or by-election, registration shall remain open for 3 days.
3. The electoral authority shall approve or reject registrations:
   • Approval shall be granted where requirements are met,
   • Rejection must be reasoned and recorded.
4. A public list of candidates shall be maintained.

Section 6- Political parties

1. A political party may be registered with the electoral authority:
   • The party must have a name and identifiable leadership,
   • The party must operate lawfully and transparently.
2. Political parties may nominate candidates.
3. A party may be removed from registration where it:
   • Engages in unlawful conduct,
   • Seeks to undermine democratic processes.

Part III- Conduct, Oversight and Disputes

Section 7- Oversight of elections and referendums

1. The Koru shall oversee all elections and referendums:
   • The Koru shall ensure fairness, transparency and order,
   • The Koru may issue directions to ensure proper conduct.
2. The Koru may appoint officials to assist in administration.
3. All processes shall be publicly recorded where appropriate.

Section 8- Conduct of elections and referendums

1. Elections and referendums shall be conducted fairly and transparently:
   • Voting shall be secret,
   • Results shall be accurately recorded and published.
2. Polling timeframes:
   • For an ordinary election or referendum, polling shall remain open for 48 hours,
   • For a snap election or by-election, polling shall remain open for 24 hours.
3. The electoral authority shall resolve procedural issues.
4. Minor errors shall not invalidate a vote unless they affect the outcome.

Section 9- Disputes and errors

1. Any dispute relating to an election or referendum may be brought before the Court.
2. The Court may:
   • Confirm results,
   • Order corrections,
   • Order a new vote where necessary.
3. Decisions shall prioritise fairness and democratic integrity.

Part IV- Vacancies, Removal and Oaths

Section 10- Vacancies and by-elections

1. A vacancy shall arise where a Member:
   • Resigns,
   • Dies,
   • Is removed from office.
2. A vacancy shall be filled by a by-election:
   • A by-election shall be called without undue delay,
   • The electoral authority shall set the timetable in accordance with this Act.
3. The Parliament may continue to operate despite vacancies.

Section 11- Removal from office

1. A Member may be removed from office by the Court where:
   • They have committed a serious offence,
   • They have abused their position,
   • They are unable to fulfil their duties.
2. Removal shall require clear justification and due process.
3. A removed Member shall cease to hold office immediately.

Section 12- Oath of office

1. All Members shall take an oath before assuming office:
   • The oath shall affirm loyalty to the Constitution and the State,
   • The form of the oath shall be prescribed by law.
2. A Member shall not act until the oath is taken.
3. Failure to take the oath shall result in a vacancy.

Part V- Referendums and Petitions

Section 13- Referendums

1. A referendum shall be held where required by law.
2. The Government may propose a referendum with the consent of the Parliament.
3. All referendums shall:
   • Be conducted fairly and transparently,
   • Allow all citizens to vote.
4. The result of a referendum shall be determined by majority vote.
5. Timeframes for referendums shall follow Section 5 and Section 8.

Section 14- Petitions

1. Every Hokorian citizen shall have the right to submit and sign petitions.
2. The Parliament may establish standards for petitions:
   • Petitions must be clear, specific and lawful,
   • Petitions must not be repetitive or substantially similar to existing petitions,
   • Petitions must meet minimum quality requirements.
3. Petitions shall reset at the end of each Parliamentary term.
4. A petition that reaches a threshold for response or debate shall:
   • Remain valid into the next term where it has not been considered by Parliament,
   • Be considered without loss of support.
5. A petition supported by at least twenty per cent of citizens shall be considered by Parliament.

Part VI- Special Election Cases

Section 15- Uncontested elections

1. Where the number of candidates is equal to the number of available seats:
   • All candidates shall be declared elected without a vote.
2. Where only one candidate stands in a by-election:
   • That candidate shall be declared elected.

Section 16- Insufficient candidates

1. Where the number of candidates is fewer than the number of available seats:
   • All candidates shall be declared elected,
   • The remaining seats shall be treated as vacancies.
2. Vacancies arising under this section shall be filled by by-elections.

Section 17- Failure of election

1. An election shall be considered failed where:
   • No valid candidates are registered,
   • Or the process cannot produce a result.
2. In such cases:
   • A new election shall be called without undue delay,
   • The electoral authority may adjust timeframes where necessary to ensure participation.

Part VII- Offences and Enforcement

Section 18- Offence of electoral fraud

1. A person commits the offence of electoral fraud where they:
   • Manipulate or falsify votes or results,
   • Vote more than once unlawfully,
   • Interfere with the fairness of an election.
2. Levels of severity:
   • Basic offence: limited or minor interference,
   • Aggravated offence: significant or organised interference.
3. Penalties:
   • Basic offence shall carry a minimum term of no penalty and a maximum term of 1 month,
   • Aggravated offence shall carry a minimum term of 1 month and a maximum term of 3 months.

Section 19- Offence of voter coercion

1. A person commits the offence of voter coercion where they:
   • Force or pressure another person to vote in a certain way,
   • Prevent a person from voting freely.
2. Levels of severity:
   • Basic offence: isolated coercion,
   • Aggravated offence: repeated or severe coercion.
3. Penalties:
   • Basic offence shall carry a minimum term of no penalty and a maximum term of 1 month,
   • Aggravated offence shall carry a minimum term of 1 month and a maximum term of 3 months.

Section 20- Offence of obstruction of democratic process

1. A person commits the offence of obstruction where they:
   • Disrupt an election, referendum or petition process,
   • Prevent lawful participation in civic processes.
2. Levels of severity:
   • Basic offence: minor disruption,
   • Aggravated offence: serious or repeated disruption.
3. Penalties:
   • Basic offence shall carry a minimum term of no penalty and a maximum term of 1 month,
   • Aggravated offence shall carry a minimum term of 1 month and a maximum term of 3 months.