Section 1 [Definitions]
All references to "The Republic" shall be references to The Republic
of the Internet unless provided for otherwise.
All references to time (months, years, hours etc.) shall refer to Earth equivalent
time.
"Citizens" are citizens of any nation but must be using the internet in the past 180 days and have immigration paperwork filed with the Immigration Department as provided for in the constitution.
They are individuals of an age not less than 15 years for sufferage right and 0 years for citizenship.
All references to voting are references to voting as proscribed for in this constitution.
"Inactivity" refers to a lack of interaction with the Internet. This may mean
a failure to vote, to respond to official emails or not using the internet.
Section 2 [The Constitution]
This constitution creates the separate and distinct institutions of:
The Parliament
The President
The Judiciary
Each is to operate independently of the other so as to provide for a system of
checks and balances in the exercise of power. Legislation, regulations and by-laws are passed and given legal effect
by a majority of votes in the Parliament followed by assent from the President. Legality of such laws may be adjudicated
on by the Supreme Court.
Chapter I Parliament
Section 3
Legislative power is vested in Parliament. This includes the power to formulate
new laws and regulations for the peace, prosperity and development of the Republic and its citizens.
Section 4
Parliament will consist of one sitting group of members in a unicameral chamber to be called the Legislative Council.
Section 5
Members of Parliament will be chosen from nominated citizens in elections as provided for in this constitution.
Section 6
1.
Parliament may, with the support of a unanimous majority of those voting for a Special
Resolution, impeach the President on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity.
2.
For the purpose of proving such allegations Parliament shall constitute itself The
High Court of Parliament wherein all due process of law shall take place before a vote is taken.
3.
In the event of impeachment the Speaker of Parliament will declare Parliament dissolved
and request the Electoral Commission to arrange for elections for a new Parliament and President.
Section 7
1.
Dissolution of Parliament may also occur by Presidential Proclamation. Such dissolution
cannot occur within 30 days of a Parliamentary election without the President giving “sufficient reason” for such
an act.
2.
Such grounds for dissolution shall be scrutinized, for acceptance or rejection, by
a Bench of not less that 3 Members of the Supreme Court.
3.
Such dissolution will have immediate effect and fresh elections for both the Parliament
and the Presidency will be called as soon as practicable.
Section 8
Parliament shall sit for a 1 year term consecutive with that of the President. At the end of such term the President
will dissolve Parliament and request the Electoral Commission to officiate at the next election.
Section 9
Parliament may make laws regulating the number of Members of the Legislative Council. Any such law requires a 2/3 majority of those voting, and will only take effect from the next electoral term. The total number of members may
be no less than 10
Section 10
1.
When a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the position shall be filled according to the
following:
a)
If only one vacancy exists then the position may ne filled by the next candidate
on a party ticket from the presvious election, or if not applicable a by-election will be held.
b)
If more than one vacancy exists, then all vacant seats are to be determined by the
outcome of a by-election
c)
By-elections may only be held at periods of two and or four months into a Parliamentary
term, to ensure that if multiple vacancies exists that simultaneous multi-seat by-elections are held
2.
Resignation occurs upon notification to the Speaker, or in their absence the President.
3.
A vacancy may also be declared after a period of inactivity by the member of not
less than 30 days, as determined by the Speaker in consultation with the Prime Minister.
Section 11
Until Parliament otherwise provides, the participation of at least one-third of the number of members shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the exercise of its powers.
Section 12
In a Parliamentary vote a simple majority (i.e. 50% + 1 vote), unless otherwise stipulated, is necessary to pass
any motion. If there are equal votes then the legislation shall pass in the negative.
Section 13
A Speaker of the Legislative Council is to be appointed by a simple majority of those voting in the Council.
The Speaker:
1.
Must be a member of the Council
2.
May adjudicate over protocols and procedure established by the Council.
3.
Retains voting rights as a Member of Parliament except where this Constitution stipulates
otherwise.
4.
May be removed from office by a simple majority of those voting in the Legislative
Council.
Chapter II The President
Section 14
Executive power is vested in the President. This includes the power to act as Head of State for the Republic and
to ensure the peace, prosperity and development of the Republic and its citizens.
Section 15
The President is elected by simple or a preferential majority of all citizens voting in a Presidential election
and shall sit for a 1 year term consecutive with that of Parliament.
Section 16
The President has the power to assent to or to veto legislation. If assent is given then the legislation is given
legal effect subject to Constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.
[Section 17 deleted due to duplication]
Section 18
The President is restricted to two consecutive terms in office. The number of non-consecutive terms is unlimited.
Section 19
The President cannot formulate legislation but only assent to or veto Bills passed by Parliament and put before
him/her.
Section 20
1.
Validation of the Presidential election results by the Electoral Commission constitutes
the swearing in of the new President.
2.
In the event of the death, resignation, or impeachment of the President whilst in
office, the Speaker of the Legislative Council becomes the Acting-President. In such an event, the Speaker may
no longer vote in Parliament, and must request the Electoral Commission to officiate at new Presidential and Parliamentary
elections as soon as practicable.
Chapter III The Judiciary
Section 21
The Judicial power of The Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court, to be called the Supreme Court of The Republic
of Mars. The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice, and other Justices, so that the total number is an
odd number no less than three, and no greater than seven.
Section 22
The powers of the Supreme Court include the power to monitor and review the activities of Parliament and the President
to ensure the peace, prosperity and development of the Republic and its citizens. This clause specifically includes
the power of judicial review to determine the constitutionality of any legislation, resolution, proclamation or
any other Parliamentary or Presidential action.
Section 23
1.
Justices are elected by Parliament, with each candidate requiring a majority of 2/3
of those voting.
2.
The candidate’s names are then put forward to the citizens who may vote for or against
each candidate’s appointment.
3.
Candidates must receive a majority of 2/3 of those voting to be appointed. If a candidate
is rejected, Parliament must submit another candidate. This continues until all positions are filled.
4.
A new Bench of the Supreme Court does not become active until the citizens have accepted
all candidates.
5.
Until then, the previous Justices continue to serve. In the event of a resignation,
the position must be filled as soon as possible. The Supreme Court may not pass any verdicts during this time.
Section 24
Justices of the Supreme Court :
1.
Shall not be removed except by Parliament, with a unianimous majority of those voting for
such removal on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity. For the purpose of proving such allegations Parliament
shall constitute itself The High Court of Parliament wherein all due process of law shall take place before a vote
is taken.
2.
Must be citizens of the Republic
3.
Must resign from any political parties upon their appointment to the Supreme Court
4.
Are appointed for a four year term, with no limit being placed on the number of terms
that may be served.
5.
May resign their office by Notice to the President.
6.
Adjudicate upon issues placed before them by citizens. Such issues are resolved on
a majority vote.
Chapter IV Elections
Section 25
The three most senior members of the Supreme Court will also constitute the Electoral Commission. Seniority is determined first by length of service, and secondly by age if further differentiation of candidate is required.
For the initial election the Electoral Commission shall consist of three Supreme Court candidates as decided by
the Provisional Administrator.
Section 26
Elections for the Parliament and President must occur no more than 3 weeks after dissolution.
Section 27
There are to be ten (10) members of the first Legislative Council. They will be chosen through the following method:

1.
All citizens are to be notified of an upcoming election not less than 14 days before
voting.
2.
Voting slips will be distributed by the Electoral Commission to all eligible citizens.
3.
Citizens must return voting slips to all three Electoral Commission members within
the specified time period.
4.
All three Electoral Commission members must forward their results to the outgoing
President.
5.
The President must compare the results for any inconsistency and then announce the
winner/s.
6.
Elections will operate on a preferential voting system. Citizens will mark the number
one (1) next to the preferred candidate and then list thereafter their preferences for the remaining candidates.
7.
Candidates who receive a set quota of the first preference vote are elected to Parliament.
8.
For remaining positions, or in the event of a tied vote, the seat will be determined
by the distribution of preferences.
9.
Where there is uncertainty or dispute arising out of the electoral method or process
it will be resolved by simple majority in the Electoral Commission.
Section 28
There is one position for President of the Republic. It will be determined by
the following electoral method:
1.
All citizens are to be notified of an upcoming election not less than 14 days before
voting.
2.
Voting slips will be distributed by the Electoral Commission to all eligible citizens.
3.
Citizens must return voting slips to all three Electoral Commission members within
the specified time period.
4.
All three Electoral Commission members must compare the results for any inconsistency
and then announce the winner.
5.
The candidate who receives the majority of the two-candidate preferred vote is declared
President. In the event of a tied vote, the Parliament shall decide between the canidates.
6.
Where there is uncertainty or dispute arising out of the electoral method or process
it will be resolved by decision of a majority of the Electoral Commission.
Section 29
A Member of Parliament may not hold the office of President and vice versa. Nor may a candidate run for both positions.
Section 30
A Member of the Supreme Court may not hold any other constitutional position and vice versa. Nor may he/she run
for such a position whilst still in office.
Chapter V Constitutional Amendment
Section 31
This Constitution shall not be altered except in the following manner:
1.
The proposed Constitutional Amendment must be passed by a 2/3 majority of those voting
in the Legislative Council, and then given assent to by the President. The matter shall be submitted to all citizens
in the form of a referendum at or before the next parliamentary election.
2.
If a simple majority of all the citizens voting approve the Constitutional Amendment
Act it shall be presented to to the President for their final assent.

Bill of Rights

Amendment 1. The right to free speech and expression shall not be infringed.

Amendment 2. The right for citizens over 18 years of age to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3. One's property may not be searched or seized without prior court approval.

Amendment 4. Any citizen may vote if the are over the age of 15 years and not a felon.

Amendment 5. Infringment of one's rights (life, liberty, property, pursuit of happiness) by any person is a felony.