Çakari Congress
| Çakari Congress | |
 | |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Type |
tricameral |
| Houses |
Majlis al-Nuwaab Majlis al-Shuyukh Majlis al-Shuwraa |
| History | |
| Founded | 1704 AN |
| Leadership | |
Mutahadith Speaker of the Majlis al-Nuwaab |
Amun Hathar, United Green |
Ataliq Regent |
|
Shahanshah |
|
| Seats |
3,334 members of the Majlis al-Nuwaab 62 Shuyukh |
| Elections | |
Last election |
1727 AN |
Next election |
1729 AN |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
|
Raashtr ka Mahal Palace of the Nation | |
| Constitution | |
| Akbar Constitution | |
The Çakari Congress is the legislature of the Çakar Empire. It is tricameral, being composed of a lower body, the Majlis al-Nuwaab, an upper body, the Majlis al-Shuyukh and an advisory body, the Majlis al-Shuwraa.
The present form of the Congress came into being with the adoption of the Akbar Constitution. Largely, the structure was intended for the Apollonian Congress of the Union, the parliamentary body of the Great Apollonian Empire. But since the fall of that empire and the continuation of the Çakar Empire, the structure has continued.
History
Majlis al-Sultina
In 1691 AN, the first elections were held in Çakaristan for the Majlis al-Sultina (Council of the Sultanate). This was the first step in the democratisation of the nation. The Majlis al-Sultina functioned as a unicameral (uni- "one" + Catologian camera "chamber") legislature. Eventually, two periodic elections took place. The structure at the time was that the leader of the largest party or majority party provided the Grand Vizier. This structure was criticised at the time because it did not provide a strict separation between the legislative and executive powers. There were advocates of having the position of Grand Vizier appointed by the Sultan, but others were in favour of an electable Grand Vizier.
With the formation of the Great Apollonian Empire, the Majlis al-Sultina lost its national position. The council functioned as a transitional parliament to a new system in the greater empire. The plan was to transform the Majlis al-Sultina into a council for the Çakari community.
Formation of the Congress
In the years of the Great Apollonian Empire, the formation of a national parliament was hotly debated. Until the very end, the only thing agreed on was the name: Apollonian Congress of the Union. The powers, structure, procedures and composition of the Congress were not agreed upon. In Çakaristan, the wish for an unambiguous and strong democratic basis was greatest. This differed greatly from the views in the western part of the empire, where it was more a case of appointing members and limiting the powers.
After the fall of the Great Apollonian Empire, the Çakari ideas were embodied in a structure. The Akbar Papers, the notes for a new constitution, were collected and thus the Akbar Constitution was composed. The main difference with the sketches for the Apollonian Congress of the Union is that the Çakari Congress is a tricameral legislature. The advisory council, the Majlis al-Shuwraa, has been added to the Congress.
Palace of the Nation
The Palace of the Nation (Adarani: Raashtr ka Mahal) is located in Agra. The building was part of the planned city, which was built around the Red Fortress. Originally intended for the Majlis al-Sultina, it now houses the Çakari Congress. The building is built in Arya architecture, a style that was established in 1590 AN in the then Aryasht.
Because the Çakari Congress is much larger than the Majlis al-Sultina, the building was renovated in 1705. The main hall was enlarged, the present meeting hall for the Majlis al-Nuwaab. In addition, several smaller meeting rooms were built, which previously housed offices for the Majlis members. These offices are now largely housed in nearby buildings, connected to the main building by underground passages.
Composition
The Çakari Congress consists of three houses: the Majlis al-Nuwaab, the Majlis al-Shuyukh and the Majlis al-Shuwraa.
Majlis al-Nuwaab
For every 300,000 citizens a seat per constituency is determined. Based on an estimate of the population numbers in 1700 AN, a total of 1,980 seats is determined per administrative division. Every four Norton years, elections are held for the entire house. Every citizen over the age of eighteen is entitled to vote. Each eligible member is at least twenty-five years of age.
The delegates elect from among themselves the Mutahadith (Speaker of the Majlis al-Nuwaab), who presides over the meetings.
Majlis al-Shuyukh
The Majlis al-Shuyukh is composed of a set number of members, as stipulated in the Constitution. Currently, the Majlis al-Shuyukh has 36 seats. The manner in which a member, a Shuyukh, is elected from the administrative division he represents is determined by that administrative division. A Shuyukh must be at least twenty-five years old and is elected for a term of six Norton years. One third of all members are elected every two Norton years. This means that in the election of 1709 AN the house is fully elected and thereafter one third is re-elected each time.
Meetings of the Majlis al-Shuyukh are presided over by the Ataliq (regent).
Majlis al-Shuwraa
The Majlis al-Shuwraa is composed of representatives stipulated in the constitution, supplemented by members appointed by the Shahanshah. The Shahanshah presides over its meetings.
Proceedings
Solemn Opening of Congress
The Solemn Opening of Congress takes place on the 15th of the 15th month every year. This is the date when the first elections, the elections for the then Majlis al-Sultina, were held. The date is only deviated from when it coincides with a religious day. All members of the Majlis al-Nuwaab, all Shuyukh and all members of the Majlis al-Shuwraa are summoned, as well as the Government and the main officials of the Judiciary.
The Shahanshah is received by the Mutahadith to the sounds of the national anthem, the Azeem-o-shaan shahenshah. Those present give a standing ovation, often singing along with the national anthem, while republicans usually remain seated and keep quiet. The Shahanshah gives a speech, which is put together in consultation with the government. The state of the nation is discussed and there is an opportunity to thank those who have given exceptional service to the empire.
Lawmaking procedure
A proposal for a law or amendment to a law can be submitted in the Majlis al-Nuwaab by the Grand Vizier or with the signature of three members. After debate and opportunity for amendments, the proposal is put to a vote. When the proposal is adopted by a majority, the proposal is forwarded to the Majlis al-Shuyukh. The Majlis al-Shuyukh debates and votes on the proposal. Shuyukh of a governorate have suspensive veto power to pass proposals with a two-thirds majority. If the Majlis al-Shuyukh passes the proposal by a majority or two-thirds, the proposal is forwarded to the Shahanshah for signature.
Budget procedure
The Grand Vizier has access to the national budget, but must submit the budget and have it adopted by the Çakari Congress. The same procedure is used for this as for the lawmaking procedure. The Grand Vizier has access to the national budget, but has to present the budget to the Çakari Congress. This is usually done in a joint session of the three houses. The Çakari Congress cannot adjust the budget, but it often makes proposals to the Grand Vizier. The Çakari Congress can set a debt ceiling; in addition, national taxes are set by law.
Motions and resolutions
Both the Majlis al-Nuwaab and the Majlis al-Shuyukh may individually adopt motions for implementation by the Government. The Government may overrule these motions by advising against them, only when two-thirds majority has agreed to the motion is the Government instructed to implement it. The Çakari Congress may jointly agree to a joint resolution, to which the Government is bound for implementation.
