The Election Commission Law:

The South Pacific hereby establishes a Commission of Elections, consisting of a Chairperson and 2 (two) Commissioners, which shall report directly to the Delegate of the Region.

Membership and Selection

Members of the Commission will be appointed by the Delegate, who shall consider all opinions voiced in a public hearing within The South Pacific. The Delegate shall announce her/his appointments to the Commission. All members of The South Pacific will be allowed to voice their opinions on these appointments within a 1 (one) week period. At the end of that week, the Delegate may retain or rescind said appointment based on the results of the hearing. If the appointment is rescinded, the Delegate will continue to propose candidates until a choice is approved.

Members of the Commission will have a 6 (six) month term, but may be reappointed, with approval subject to a further public hearing. However, to maintain continuity within the Commission, the first Chairperson will serve for 6 (six) months, one Commissioner will have an initial 4 (four) month term and the second Commissioner a 2 (two) month term.

Restrictions on Members of the Commissioner of Elections

Serving members of the Commission of Elections may not run for any office. If any member of the Commission wishes to run for office, he/she must notify the Delegate and resign his/her position at least 6 (six) weeks before the next election so that a suitable replacement may be found and installed.

Members of the Commission are bound by the Conflict of Interest guidelines.

Powers of the Commission

All decisions by the Commission will be made via majority rule.

The Commission will oversee all elections. After conferring with the Delegate, the Commission will establish election guidelines, prepare threads for the elections, determine candidate eligibility, and uphold all Election Laws of The South Pacific.

The Commission will review all election results to ensure their legality. Any election violations will be handed over to the Delegate and Secretary of Justice for review and possibly prosecution.

The Commission will review all Election Law, especially the Endorsement Laws, the Limitations on Positions Law, and the Conflict of Interest Laws. All findings will be handed over to the Delegate and Secretary of Justice for review.

Prosecution of Election Law violations will be conducted by the Chairman of the Commission, with assistance from the Undersecretary of Justice.

In cases of election fraud and vote tampering, the Commission shall have the power to declare an election void, calling for a special election to fill the position in question. Special elections must be called within 2 (two) calendar weeks after the election has been void. During this period, the Undersecretary of the Department in question shall assume all responsibilities of that Cabinet position.

Decisions by the Commission may be appealed, within 1 (one) calendar week. Appeals shall be heard by the Delegate. This appeal period shall be included in the 2 (two) week Special Election time frame.

The Chairperson of the Commission will receive administrator powers over election threads only. The Secretary of Intelligence is responsible for providing the Commission with necessary information to facilitate the duties of the Commission.

The Commission will establish and publish a rolling 6 (six) month schedule for future elections, posting such dates for a 6 (six) month time period.