1697 Free Elwynn elections
The 1697 elections in the Free Area of the Elwynnese Republic are the first scheduled elections in Free Elwynn following the cessation of hostilities of the Second Elwynnese Civil War. A Prince, a congress, and comital assemblies (replacing the former bailiwicks) are to be elected. Elections are scheduled to take place throughout the first month of 1697. There are 643,663 registered electors (as determined from the 1696 Free Elwynn census).
Princely elections
Candidates
- Eki Verion, supported by the House of Verion, the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear, the Holy Party of the Divine Icebear, Verionist Union, former princess of the Elwynnese Republic (1662–1664)
- Marcus Alondorion, supported by the Elwynnese Workers' Party, trade union leader in Cimmeria.
- Ezabel Kaaq, supported by the Ayreonist Independence Party, psychiatrist and chairwoman of the Red Orchid Society of Free Elwynn, which helped with the influx of refugees and other displaced persons coming to Cimmeria and Raikoth.
Results
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Eki Verion | 231,883 | 51.96% |
| Marcus Alondorion | 123,288 | 27.62% |
| Ezabel Kaaq | 91,121 | 20.42% |
| Total | 446,292 |
With achieving 51.96% of all valid votes, Eki Verion won the election and was immediately sworn in as Princess of the Elwynnese Republic.
There were 446,292 valid votes, and 73,222 invalid votes (blank votes, spoilt votes, write-ins, etc.), making the number of voters 519,514, or a turnout of 81%.
Congressional elections
Forty-three seats were up for election.
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verionist Union | 129795 | 28.85% | 12 |
| Holy Party of the Divine Icebear | 90560 | 20.13% | 9 |
| Ayreonist Independence Party | 85616 | 19.03% | 8 |
| Elwynnese Workers' Party | 79863 | 17.75% | 8 |
| Union for Truth and Beauty | 63999 | 14.23% | 6 |
| Total valid votes | 449 833 | 100% | 43 |
There were also 67,330 invalid votes (blank, spoilt votes, write-in votes for the Democratic Party of Elwynn and the Nationalist and Humanist Party, etc.). All in all, 517 163 votes were cast, giving the elections a turnout of 80.3%.
The elections marked a slight upset for the Verionist Union, who had thought they would be able to get a majority of its own. Instead, the Verionist—Cimmerian vote was split between the Verionist Union and the Holy Party of the Divine Icebear. Even so, the Verionist Plan B was to form a coalition government with the HPDI. This government, at the outset of the results, would not have a majority. The Verionist leader decided to negotiate with all parties, instead, to form a government of national unity while Free Elwynn would be rebuilt and refugees be rehoused, etc.
