Charter

Below is the charter of the **Chicanery Party**, outlining its rules and leadership structure (Adopted 29 September 2023):

§1. The Party Leader shall be the leader and main representative of the party and will be the party’s candidate for Prime Minister.

§1.1. The Party Leader shall be granted the following abilities.

§1.1.1. To create a party agenda

§1.1.2. To create the party’s manifesto.

§1.1.3. To create the party’s list for Parliament elections (with the advice of the Party Secretary)..

§1.1.4. The Party Leader may enter into coalition deals on behalf of the party.

§1.1.5. The Party Leader may leave coalition deals on behalf of the party.

§1.1.6. To ensure that Chicanery Members of Parliament vote properly.

§1.1.7. To settle disputes amongst party Senate candidates who cannot reach a consensus on selecting the party's candidate for Senate Majority Leader.

§2. A Party Leader election will happen if a party member challenges an incumbent for the leadership, if there is a vacancy in the position of Party Leader, or if the Party Leader calls for an election.

§3. A Party Leader shall be removed as leader if they lose a vote of no confidence among the party members.

§4. The Party Secretary may assist and advise the Party Leader with any duties described in section 1.

§4.1. The Party Secretary will also have the following abilities:

§4.1.1. To host party elections.

§4.1.2. To conduct party polls.

§4.1.3. To provide member incentives to grow the party.

§4.1.4. To settle disputes between the Party Leader and a Chicanery Member of Parliament in the event that the MP disagrees with a disciplinary action taken by the Party Leader against them. (The Party Leader may not discipline any party members for issuing a leadership challenge or vote of no confidence).

             §4.2. If 1) no suitable or willing candidates for Party Secretary are present or 2) the post of Party Secretary is vacant, the Party Leader shall assume the responsibilities of the position.

§5. The party, through bylaws, may set a threshold for the number of sponsors needed to hold an election in cases of a challenge to a Party Leader or Party Secretary

§6. The party, through bylaws, may set a threshold for the number of sponsors needed to hold a vote of no confidence in the Party Leader or Party Secretary.

§7. The term of the Party Leader and Secretary shall start as soon as they win a Party Leader or Party Secretary election.

§8. A Party Leader will appoint a different party member to be Deputy Party Leader. In times of a vacancy of Party Leader, they will serve as Interim Party Leader until a new Party Leader is elected.

§9. Party bylaws are rules and regulations for the party beyond what is described in this charter and exist below this charter.

§9.1. The party may hold votes for bylaws among party members. Votes for proposed bylaws shall begin immediately unless a bylaw states otherwise. A bylaw shall only need a simple majority in support to pass.

§9.1.1. The party, through bylaws, may set a threshold for the number of sponsors

needed to hold a vote on party bylaws.

§9.1.2. The Party Leader may begin votes for party bylaws without sponsors.

§9.2. All Voices of Democracy laws and rules will apply to this party.

§10. All party votes, elections, etc must be done in a free and fair manner.

§11. All party members that are Members of Parliament are expected to support the government in confidence votes if the party is currently a part of the coalition.

§12. All party members that are Members of Parliament are expected to vote against the government in confidence votes if the party is not currently a part of the coalition.

§13. If the Party Leader is also the Prime Minister, is removed as the party’s leader, and refuses to resign, then the party has permission to hold a vote of no confidence against the government.

§14. All party members are expected to vote for the party in Voices of Democracy elections.

§15. This charter may be amended in a vote among the party members that carries the support of at least sixty percent of party members.