Constitution of Nova Prime

The Constitution of Nova Prime is the supreme law and founding document of Nova Prime. The Constitution is composed of five sections outlining the basic functions and responsibilities of the state as well as the outlines of positions of power.

The Constitution was composed by the Foundation Convention and amended with input from the citizenry until it was made effective on the 11th of August.

Preamble
Shaped by the natural order and the ambitions of man, the people residing upon the islands of Aurelia, Concordia, Corana, Ghan, Oren and Zelevas have come together to form a more perfect union under the state of NOVA PRIME.

Section I
a.      All Executive and Legislative powers are vested in the Directorate of NOVA PRIME, with the Grand Herald serving as the Head of State.

Executive powers are defined as the exercising of, and responsibility for the governance of the state.

Legislative powers are defined as the drafting of and implementation of legislation pertaining to the state and within the constraints of the Constitution.

The Directorate may delegate specific portfolios to its members at its discretion.


 * These portfolios include Defense, Interior, Foreign, Finance and Justice.

b.      All Judicial powers are vested in the Counsellate of NOVA PRIME, with the Lord Chancellor serving as the Head of the Judiciary.

Outline
''The Directorate shall serve as the Executive and Legislative branch of government, with the Grand Herald wielding Executive responsibilities. The body shall be responsible for the functioning of the state within the bounds of the Constitution.''

Structure
''The Directorate shall be composed of no more than 4 members known each as Heralds. They are not to hold any position within the Judiciary simultaneously. Each member of the Directorate receives a single vote on all issues with the Grand Herald receiving two votes on all issues except for the selection of a successor of their post in which case they receive only a single vote.''

Election
''All members are to be elected every 4 months by the electoral body. Candidates are chosen by Single Transferable Vote, with the 4 highest scoring candidates being elevated into the Directorate. Unsuccessful candidates may run in future elections unless disbarred by the Consulate. There are no term limits on members and previous office holders may run for office unless they have been disbarred by the Counsellate.''

''The Grand Herald shall be selected by the Directorate by an already existing member of the body with a term consisting of 1 month with no term limit. The Grand Herald will have their term renewed should they receive unanimous support from the Directorate at the end of every term.''

''Should there be a lack of unanimity, a Herald of the People will be elected by the wider electoral body to participate in the nomination process, though this position is temporary and does not entitle them to elevation to Grand Herald. A simple majority shall then be required to select the next Grand Herald.''

Accountability
''Members of the Directorate will be removed from their position upon resignation or incapacitation. Removal by the latter justification will be decided upon by the Counsellate.''

''Members of the Directorate are not afforded special protections for violations of the Constitution or other crimes committed in office. They may however, only be judged by the Judiciary after an appropriate proceeding motion has been submitted [as defined in Sect. IV, d]''

Outline
''The Counsellate shall serve as the Judiciary branch of government, with the Lord Chancellor serving as its head. The body shall be responsible for the operation of justice and overseer of the Directorate.''

Previous legal outcomes may modify the interpretations of the law as it is written, with the most recent judgement superseding past rulings.

Structure
''The Counsellate shall be composed of an odd number of members with no more than 5 and no less than 1 officeholder(s) known each as Chancellors. They are not to hold any position within the Executive/Legislature simultaneously. Each member of the Counsellate receives a single vote on all matters with a simple majority needed to decide the outcome.''

Nomination
''All members are to be nominated by the Directorate and then voted on by the wider electoral body. They are to serve a period of 1 year with no term limits and no restrictions on previous office holders being nominated. A simple majority is needed to attain the role. Unsuccessful candidates are prevented from being nominated by the Directorate for a period of a month.''

''A Lord Chancellor who authors judicial decisions and leads the court proceedings will be self-selected from the Counsellate by its members. If they are unable to choose one amongst themselves, the Grand Herald will appoint an acting Lord Chancellor until the Counsellate is able to make a decision. The tenure of this position may be decided by the Counsellate themselves.''

Responsibilities
''The Counsellate has the right to disbar a citizen if proceedings are brought against them over charges of breaching the Constitution. Likewise, they are able to disbar and remove a member of the Directorate prematurely who has violated the Constitution or committed a crime.''

The Counsellate shall make decisions regarding the law only if proceedings are brought up regarding such a matter.

''Members of the Counsellate will be removed from their position upon resignation or incapacitation. Removal by the latter justification will be decided upon by a successful proceeding that is then decided upon by the Directorate.''

Application
Citizenship is only granted by the Directorate which confers special privileges.

Citizenship is only granted to persons who are not part of any other nation

Rights
Right to Vote as a member of the electoral body

Right to Free Speech and Expression: Citizens may freely speak and express their views without retribution from the State with exceptions on calls for impending violence and probable grievous harm.

Right to Keep and Bear Arms: Citizens may hold weapons with the belief that such tools are to be used in just circumstances.

Right to Privacy: Citizens may expect a degree of anonymity about their personal lives which is protected and kept separate.

Right to Proceeding: Proceedings may be initiated by any citizen that is not a current member of the Counsellate as long as it has:


 * been endorsed by another citizen fulfilling the previous condition
 * the citizens in question have not filed another motion in the past month
 * not a matter previously settled in the past year by the Counsellate
 * is within the scope of the law and function of the state

Revocation
Citizenship may be unilaterally retracted by a unanimous vote by the Directorate or successful proceedings against a citizen judged by the Counsellate.