Constitution of the Southern Territory (Makko Oko)
The Constitution of the Southern Territory is the primary organizing law of the Makkonian province of the Southern Territory. The Constitution was ratified following the Constitutional Convention that ran until November XX, 2027, with the ratification of the final draft occurring on December 1st, 2027 following royal assent by the Privy Council.
History
Resident Non-Discrimination Provision
"There shall be no distinction between a resident and a person for the reasons of the Constitution, or for provincial law, subject to restriction by the Crown."
During the convention, one [NAME HERE] proposed that residents be prohibited in the Constitution to aid equality, with them citing residency as "a plague that was established by Christians to aid in discriminating against those of other faiths". While the provision received a majority of approvals, Governor Daniel Ogden vetoed it from being added, citing that the provision as it was written was unconstitutional. The veto led to some upset among the convention, however, a suitable replacement was quickly proposed and ratified with a supermajority.
Full Text
ARTICLE I. PERSONAL RIGHTS
SECTION 1: EQUALITY PROTECTIONS
No persons shall such be discriminated against for their religious practice, sex, national origin, disability or race, limited to the scope that national law shall such enforce.
There shall be no distinction between a resident and non-resident in any matters that do not require such a distinction, or in any matter that the Crown shall promulgate to require one.
No persons shall be prohibited from voting in a provincial election for any reason.
SECTION 2: JUDICIAL RIGHTS
No person shall be deprived of life or liberty without the due process of law.
No person shall be indicted for a crime more than once.
No persons shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves without the due process of law.
No persons shall be tried by any body except by a judge of the court.
No persons shall be subject to capital punishment for a misdemeanor or otherwise low crime.
SECTION 3: OTHER FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
All persons shall have the right to petition the Governor for a redress of grievances.
No persons shall be subject to cruel or unusual punishment.
No persons shall be subject to corporal punishment for a crime.
No persons shall be required to take any test of any kind to enter public office.
ARTICLE II. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
SECTION 1: OFFICE OF GOVERNOR
The Governor shall be the head of state and government of the Southern Territory.
The Governor shall be an elected position to be further defined by Article III.
The Governor shall only have such powers granted to them by the Southern Territory Congress, excluding ones constitutionally defined.
SECTION 2: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The legislative branch shall be a unicameral body named the "Southern Territory Congress".
There shall be a number of representatives equal to the population of each city, divided by the total population of the province as determined by the census.
Congress shall make exceptions for members to take leave for religious days and observances.
SECTION 3: APPOINTED POSITIONS
No position or person shall such be appointed without the consent of Congress.
The Director of the Provincial Elections Service shall be an appointed position.
The Governor shall suggest individuals for appointment to Congress.
SECTION 4: OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SECRETARY
The Secretary of Public Safety shall be the chief law enforcement official of the Southern Territory.
The Secretary of Public Safety shall be an elected position to be further defined by Article III.
The Secretary of Public Safety shall not have any law enforcement authority.
SECTION 5: OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS SECRETARY
The Secretary of Legal Affairs shall be the chief judicial official of the Southern Territory.
The Secretary of Legal Affairs shall be an appointed position.
The Secretary of Legal Affairs shall sit on and lead the Provincial High Court, in addition to assisting in its appointments.
SECTION 5: JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Constitution shall establish the Provincial High Court as the highest court in the province and the court of final appeal.
The Provincial High Court shall be composed of twenty (20) impartial justices to serve for a term to be defined in Article III.
Congress shall promulgate statute and regulations establishing the lower parts of the judicial branch.
High court justices are to be appointed, with procedures for such appointments to be defined by Congress.
ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: TERM LIMITS
No Governor shall serve more than four terms.
No Member of Congress shall serve once they reach the age of 65.
Congress shall such be able to promulgate term limits through statute that are not defined explicitly through this document.
A high court justice shall serve only twice, or until they reach the age of 55, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 2: TERM LENGTHS
The Governor shall have a term duration of three (3) years.
Members of Congress shall have a term duration of two (2) years.
The Secretary of Public Safety shall have a term duration of three (3) years.
A high court justice shall have a term duration of six (6) years.
SECTION 3: OPERATIONS
Elections shall be operated by the Provincial Elections Service.
No persons with a criminal record shall such be permitted to run if such a record includes serious crimes.
Only residents as defined by statute shall such be permitted to run for a position.
SECTION 4: FRAUD & RECOUNTS
A recount of the electoral ballots may such be ordered only if the PES approves, or if statute permits.
The Governor shall be held to secure the integrity of elections and prevent fraud through any means necessary.
No political party or group based solely on religion shall such be permitted.
ARTICLE IV. IMPEACHMENTS
SECTION 1: ELECTED OFFICIALS
Any elected official may have impeachment proceedings launched against them by any resident person who voted in the relevant election.
Impeachments shall such be heard and adjudicated by the Provincial High Court.
For an impeachment to succeed, at least 70% of justices must approve.
SECTION 2: HIGH COURT JUSTICES
Any high court justice may have impeachment proceedings launched against them by a majority approval of Congress, or by order of the Governor.
Impeachments of high court justices shall such be heard and adjudicated by Congress.
For an impeachment to succeed, at least 50% of representatives must approve.
SECTION 3: IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
Shall an impeachment be approved, the impeachment shall become public record and the official terminated.
An impeachment can lead to a criminal trial and subsequent conviction if there is unanimous approval of Congress.
SECTION 4: APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Any appointed official may have impeachment proceedings launched against them by petition of a significant number of resident persons.
Impeachments shall such be heard and adjudicated by Congress.
For an impeachment to succeed, at least 50% of representatives must approve.