THE TOTEMIAN EMPIRE
Constitution of the Totemian Empire
Text as of 28 October 2026

Constitution of the Totemian Empire
Preamble
We, the subjects of His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Vasili the First, inspired by the legacy of our heritage, the dedication of our workers, and the strength of our citizens, to establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and to unite the Kingdoms, Governorates, Imperial Cetés, Territories, and Colonies in a perpetual union of prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the Totemian Empire.
Article 1: Foundation and Citizenship
Section 1: Form of the Totemian Empire
The Totemian Empire is a unitary absolute monarchy and a single sovereign state, comprising Kingdoms, Governorates, Territories, Colonies, Imperial Cetés, and other territorial divisions established in accordance with law. Its constituent governments shall exercise only such powers and limited autonomy as are provided by this Constitution and applicable Imperial law, subject to the sovereign authority of the Emperor.
Section 2: Application for Citizenship
Every incoming citizen must fill out the application form to be accepted into the Totemian Empire. Exceptions may be made by the Emperor of Totemia.
Every citizen shall make the Oath of Citizenship or an equivalent oath approved by the Emperor. The prescribed forms are:
“I, N.N. swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a Totemian citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Vasili the First, His Heirs and Successors according to law”
OR
“I, N.N. do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm, on becoming a Totemian citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Vasili the First, His Heirs and Successors according to law”
Section 3: Personal Additions to Oaths and Affirmations
Any person making an oath or affirmation prescribed by this Constitution or by law may voluntarily supplement it with personal, religious, cultural, political, or other expressions, including “So help me God”. This includes citizenship oaths and affirmations and those required for any elected or appointed public office or position. The prescribed oath or affirmation shall be made in full. No addition may contradict, restrict, qualify, or negate any of its commitments, replace any prescribed wording, or alter its legal effect. No person shall be required to make an optional addition.
Article 2: The Emperor and Imperial Government
Section 1: Imperial Government
The Imperial Government of the Totemian Empire comprises the High Government and the Low Government. Their composition, functions, and respective powers are established by this Constitution and other applicable law.
Section 2: High Government and Low Government
The High Government consists of the Emperor, the Privy Council, formally His Imperial Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and the New Prefectoral College. The College is made up of the leaders of the constituent countries in the Totemian Empire. The Low Government comprises the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, and the Totemian Parliament.
Section 3: Sovereign Authority of the Emperor
The Emperor shall be Head of State, Supreme Head of Government, Grand Marshal of the Imperial Armed Forces, and Pauramonté of the High Government, and shall retain the hereditary title of King of Omnislavia. Supreme sovereign authority within the Totemian Empire is vested in the Emperor. Imperial Orders shall have the legal force and precedence established by this Constitution. The powers, functions, and procedures expressly assigned by this Constitution to Parliament, the Chancellery, the courts, and other state organs shall remain in effect.
All governmental powers in their widest extent throughout the whole Totemian Empire are vested in the Emperor.
Section 4: Imperial Orders
An Imperial Order is a proclamation or decree issued by the Emperor. Upon signature, it has the force of law.
Section 5: Hierarchy of Legal Authority
The order of legal authority within the Totemian Empire shall be: first, the Emperor; second, Imperial Orders; third, this Constitution; and fourth, the Civil Code. Every other law or legal instrument shall be subordinate to the Civil Code unless this Constitution expressly provides otherwise.
A lower source of law shall comply with every higher source of law. Where two sources conflict, the higher source shall control to the extent of the conflict.
Section 6: Codification and Amendment of the Civil Code
An Act of Parliament shall have force only in accordance with this Constitution. Every Act shall be codified in the Civil Code or shall state exactly how this Constitution or the Civil Code is amended. Until incorporation is completed, enacted constitutional amendments shall control as part of this Constitution, and other enacted provisions shall control as part of the Civil Code.
Section 7: Imperial Titles and Forms of Address
The full Imperial title of the Emperor is: “By the Grace of God, We, Emperor of all the Totemias, King of Omnislavia, Grand Marshal of the Imperial Armed Forces, Supreme Head of the Imperial Government, Pauramonté of the High Government, Head of the Commonwealth.”
In formal references to the Emperor, use “His Imperial Majesty”.
When communicating directly with the Emperor, orally or in writing, address him initially as “Your Imperial Majesty”. “Sir” may be used thereafter where appropriate.
Section 8: Succession and Regency
In the event that the Emperor is unable to fulfill their duties due to death, abdication, or other reasons, the succession shall proceed as follows:
The Caesarevich of Totemia, or another heir designated by the reigning Emperor, shall have the first right of succession to the Imperial Throne. Upon the death or abdication of the Emperor, the lawful successor shall assume the Imperial title and all powers, duties, and responsibilities vested in the Emperor.
If the Caesarevich or designated heir is unable or legally ineligible to assume the throne, the right of succession shall pass to the Emperor's other children in the order established by law.
Where no eligible heir is available to assume the throne, the Chancellor shall serve as Regent of the Totemian Empire, exercising the powers and duties of the Emperor until an eligible heir is able to assume the throne or a new Emperor is lawfully selected. The assumption of a Regency shall not, in itself, confer the Imperial title upon the Chancellor or alter the lawful order of succession.
Section 9: Imperial Assent and Referendum Enactment
A bill passed by Parliament shall acquire the force of law upon Imperial assent, in accordance with the legislative procedures established by this Constitution. Laws and constitutional amendments approved by public referendum shall acquire legal effect upon certification of their approval, as provided by this Constitution.
Section 10: Imperial Assent to Specified Penalties
No capital punishment, deportation, exile, long imprisonment, or any of that sort shall be legal without the assent of the Emperor, either by a representative of him or by him himself.
Section 11: Immunity of the Emperor
Law and justice in the Totemian Empire shall be administered in the name of the Emperor. The person of the Emperor shall be inviolable and immune from legal proceedings. No court or other state organ of the Totemian Empire shall bring charges against him, prosecute him, or place him on trial.
Section 12: Empress and Imperial Consorts
If the reigning Empress has a male consort, he shall be titled "Imperial Consort".
Section 13: Privy Council
His Imperial Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council shall continue as the formal cabinet and principal body of advisers to the Emperor. The Council predates this constitutional provision, and its existence shall not depend upon re-establishment by statute.
The Emperor shall be the sole head and presiding authority of the Privy Council. Membership shall be as provided by this Constitution, the Civil Code or other law, an Imperial Order, or an Imperial appointment.
Unless otherwise provided by law, every Minister shall be a member of the Privy Council by virtue of holding that office. The religious head of the State Religion, as identified by the Civil Code, shall be a member of the Privy Council by virtue of holding that office.
Parliament may, by law, designate other offices, ranks, or positions whose holders shall be members of the Privy Council and prescribe the conditions of that membership.
Membership arising by virtue of an office, rank, or position shall continue only while the member lawfully holds it and satisfies any conditions prescribed by law. Membership of the Privy Council shall not alter the powers, duties, supervision, or chain of command of any other office held by the member.
The Emperor may assign a Privy Councilor or supporting officer to organize a meeting, circulate notice, keep the authorized record, or communicate the Council's advice. Such an assignment shall not create a separate office or confer authority over other Privy Councilors.
Section 14: Ministries and Their Subordinate Bodies
Ministries are principal executive state organs of the High Government, each responsible for a defined field of public administration. Every Ministry shall be headed by a Minister and assisted by a Deputy Minister. The Minister and Deputy Minister shall be appointed and may be removed at will by the Emperor. The organization, subordinate Offices and Administrations, and other functions of each Ministry shall be governed by the Civil Code and other applicable law.
Article 3: The Chancellery
Part 1: Shared Chancellery Provisions
Section 1: General Elections and Voting
General elections for the Chancellery shall be held every 90 days after the preceding general election and shall coincide with parliamentary general elections. Only registered citizens may vote in elections within the Totemian Empire.
The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall be elected together on a joint electoral ticket consisting of one candidate for each office. Each registered citizen eligible to vote shall have one vote for a ticket. An uncontested ticket shall be returned subject to Imperial confirmation; an election between two tickets shall be decided by simple majority; and an election with three or more tickets shall use single-winner preferential voting with transferable preferences.
Chancellery candidates and joint electoral tickets shall comply with the national electoral identity, ballot-presentation, and platform-neutrality guarantees established by Article 12, Section 8A. The Civil Code shall prescribe additional administrative procedures without diminishing those guarantees.
If an election produces no winner, no more than 2 public electoral retries shall be held.
If both retries fail, the Emperor shall consult the people and select 1 of the following methods to determine the successful ticket:
(a) a best-of-3 tic-tac-toe contest;
(b) a best-of-3 duel;
(c) a decision of the newly constituted Parliament by simple majority;
(d) a decision of the Privy Council by simple majority;
(e) direct selection by the Emperor; or
(f) a decision of the 4 major political parties by simple majority.
Contests under paragraphs (a) and (b) shall require the prior, informed, and voluntary consent of both competing tickets and supervision by the Emperor or his authorized representative.
The Civil Code shall prescribe the voting, retry, and resolution procedures, including a final deadline and direct Imperial selection where the other methods have not produced a result. The successful ticket shall be subject to Imperial confirmation and the prescribed oaths. Special elections under Article 20 to fill only the office of Chancellor shall follow the corresponding procedures for individual candidates, without displacing a Vice Chancellor lawfully remaining in office.
Section 2: Election Approval and Inauguration
A Chancellery election shall require Imperial confirmation. Upon confirmation, the successful candidates shall be Chancellor-elect and Vice Chancellor-elect until they take their prescribed oaths and assume office. For a general election, the ordinary inauguration date shall be the 25th day of the month in which the original general election is scheduled.
At inauguration, the Emperor or a person authorized by him shall administer the oaths prescribed in Sections 9 and 12 of this Article to the Chancellor-elect and Vice Chancellor-elect.
Where Imperial confirmation occurs after the ordinary inauguration date, the confirmed candidates shall assume office promptly following administration of their prescribed oaths, without waiting for another ordinary inauguration date.
A special election held under Article 20 shall not be subject to the ordinary inauguration date. A successful candidate shall assume office following Imperial confirmation of the election and administration of the prescribed oath of office.
Section 3: Advisory Council of the Low Government
The Advisory Council of the Low Government will be the advisory council to the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. It will consist of 3 total seats to advise the administration on governance.
Part 2: The Chancellor
Section 4: Office and Terms of the Chancellor
The Chancellor shall serve as the Second in Command of the Government, hereinafter referred to as the Head of the Low Government. The Chancellor is the principal advisor and right-hand of the Emperor, holding the highest possible position attainable by a civilian within the Totemian Empire.
There shall be no limit on the number of terms a Chancellor may serve.
Section 5: Candidacy for the Chancellery
To run for Chancellor, you must file between the time period shown in the campaigning channel in the community Discord server. If you are not the leader of the party, you must talk to your party leader and get their approval.
A candidate for Chancellor or Vice Chancellor shall not stand for election to Parliament at the same general election or at another election whose nomination or polling period overlaps that Chancellery election. Before registration for a Chancellery election, each candidate shall withdraw any such parliamentary candidacy, including an automatic nomination for reelection. The National Electoral Administration shall exclude that person from the corresponding parliamentary candidate list. Participation in a Chancellery electoral retry shall continue the same candidacy for this purpose.
Section 6: Powers of the Chancellor
The Powers of the Chancellor will include, but are not limited to; passing and vetoing laws from Parliament, appointing and dismissing members of the Advisory Council, advising the Emperor, and so on.
Section 7: Executive Orders
An Executive Order is a proclamation made by the Chancellor. If it relates to major functions of the government, it will need the Emperor's approval; however, if it is minor and within the power of the Chancellery, it will not need approval.
The Chancellor shall have the authority to issue executive orders pertaining to medium national laws, provided that such orders receive the approval of the Emperor.
Section 8: Regency Duties
Where a Regency devolves upon the Chancellor under Article 2, Section 8, the Chancellor shall exercise the powers and duties of the Emperor for the duration prescribed in that Section.
Section 9: Oath of Office of the Chancellor
The oath of office for the Chancellor shall be as follows:
“I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of Chancellor of the Totemian Empire. I pledge to protect and defend the sovereignty, security, and integrity of the Totemian Empire, uphold the rights and freedoms of all Totemians, and serve the people with loyalty and honour. I pledge my true allegiance to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Vasili, his heirs and successors, and will assist His Imperial Majesty, according to law, in the governance of the Totemian Empire. I further pledge to ensure its strength and stability and to preserve, protect, and project the Totemian Empire.”
Part 3: The Vice Chancellor
Section 10: Office and Acting Chancellor Duties
The Vice Chancellor will be the top advisor to the Chancellor; they will have limited power in their own right, where they will serve as Acting Chancellor during times where the Chancellor is inactive, busy with other affairs outside of Totemia, or any other event.
Section 11: Parliamentary Membership
The Vice Chancellor shall, upon being sworn into office, occupy 1 reserved seat in the House of Commons by virtue of that office. That seat shall be included within the House’s total of 16 seats and shall remain reserved during a vacancy in the office of Vice Chancellor. It shall become vacant when its holder ceases to be Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor shall exercise the full rights and powers of a member of the House of Commons, including legislative and voting powers. Any parliamentary powers arising from a seat, office, title, or position in the House of Lords shall be suspended while that person holds the office of Vice Chancellor. Concurrent mandate restrictions shall preserve the Commons powers conferred by this Section.
A person shall not simultaneously occupy the reserved seat and an ordinary elected seat in the House of Commons. An ordinary elected seat held by a person who assumes the office of Vice Chancellor shall become vacant and be filled under the rules for parliamentary vacancies.
Section 12: Oath of Office of the Vice Chancellor
The oath of office for the Vice Chancellor shall be as follows:
“I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of Vice Chancellor of the Totemian Empire. I pledge to support the Chancellor in preserving, protecting, and projecting the sovereignty, security, and integrity of the Totemian Empire and to uphold the rights and freedoms of all Totemians. I pledge my true allegiance to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Vasili, his heirs and successors, according to law. I will serve with loyalty and dedication, ensure the strength and stability of the Totemian Empire, and assist in all matters necessary for its success.”
Article 4: Sovereignty of the Emperor
Section 1: Sovereign Position of the Emperor
The Emperor shall be the absolute Monarch of the Totemian Empire and hold supreme sovereign authority. Parliament shall participate in the governance of the Totemian Empire through legislation, representation, oversight, and advice to the Emperor, in accordance with this Constitution. The Chancellor shall head the Low Government, advise the Emperor, and exercise the powers assigned to the office by this Constitution. The Emperor shall remain above Parliament and the Chancellor in governmental authority and is entrusted to govern fairly.
Article 5: Constitutional Amendment Procedure
Section 1: Methods of Constitutional Amendment
This Constitution may be amended by Parliament and the Emperor, or by public referendum where provided by this Constitution.
Section 2: Parliamentary Approval and Imperial Assent
A constitutional amendment proposed for enactment by Parliament shall require approval by 3/4 of each chamber, shall be subject to the Chancellor’s approval or veto, and shall require approval by the Emperor.
Section 3: Constitutional Override Amendments
If the Chancellor vetoes a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament, Parliament may reintroduce the same amendment as a Constitutional Override Amendment.
Section 4: Scope of a Constitutional Override Amendment
A Constitutional Override Amendment shall be limited to the constitutional amendment vetoed by the Chancellor.
Section 5: Approval of a Constitutional Override Amendment
A Constitutional Override Amendment shall pass only if 3/4 of each chamber votes in favor of the amendment and its veto override.
Section 6: Presentation to the Emperor
If passed, the constitutional amendment shall be sent directly to the Emperor for approval.
Section 7: Submission to Public Referendum
Parliament may propose a constitutional amendment for enactment by public referendum under Article 20, Section 18.
Article 6: Supreme Court and Judicial Authority
Section 1: Establishment and Position of the Supreme Court
There is hereby established the Supreme Court of the Totemian Empire, the highest and final appellate court in all matters of law and justice within the Totemian Empire. Independent from any tributary, it will serve under no one other than the Emperor.
Section 2: Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court shall have original and appellate jurisdiction over all cases concerning the interpretation of the Imperial Constitution, the laws of the Totemian Empire, and disputes of the highest national importance. It shall also have the authority to resolve conflicts between lower courts, government branches, and Imperial trials.
Section 3: Composition and Appointment
The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and a maximum of 6 Associate Justices, totaling 7, whose appointments shall be made by the Emperor, with advice from Privy Council.
Section 4: Qualifications of Justices
Justices of the Supreme Court must be distinguished in their legal expertise, proven integrity, and commitment to upholding the laws of the Totemian Empire. The Emperor may select candidates from among the ranks of legal scholars, former judges, or individuals with substantial experience in Imperial law.
Section 5: Duties of the Chief Justice
The Chief Justice shall preside over the Supreme Court, oversee the administration of judicial matters, and ensure the proper functioning of the Court. The Chief Justice shall also represent the Supreme Court in official matters before the Imperial Court and the Emperor.
Section 6: Constitutional Interpretation
The Supreme Court shall have the exclusive authority to interpret the Constitution and its amendments. It shall resolve all constitutional disputes and ensure that all laws passed by Parliament are in alignment with the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
Section 7: Judicial Review
The Supreme Court shall possess the power of judicial review, enabling it to determine the constitutionality of laws of the Totemian Empire and executive actions. The Court may, in its discretion, strike down any bills, or executive acts that are found to be unconstitutional.
Section 8: Final Appeals
The Supreme Court shall serve as the final arbiter for all legal appeals within the Totemian Empire, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of status, have access to impartial and fair judicial review.
Section 9: Court Administration and Procedures
The Chief Justice shall preside over the Court’s sessions and shall have the power to determine the schedule, docket, and allocation of cases among the Justices. The Chief Justice shall have the power to establish judicial protocols and procedures in collaboration with the Associate Justices.
Section 10: Commencement of Court Operations
The Supreme Court shall begin its operations immediately following the appointment of the Chief Justice and the selection of Associate Justices as deemed necessary by the Emperor.
Section 11: Approval and Effect of Decisions
All decisions of the Supreme Court must be approved by the Emperor. After approval, they shall be final and binding upon all citizens, institutions, and branches of government within the Totemian Empire.
Section 12: Use of the Death Penalty
The death penalty may be imposed only for the most serious crimes, including treason, premeditated terrorism, genocide, and rape.
Article 7: Constituent Constitutions
Section 1: Authority to Maintain Constituent Constitutions
Kingdoms, and Governorates of the Totemian Empire may adopt their own constitutions in accordance with law.
Section 2: Popular Adoption and Constitutional Compliance
A constituent constitution shall require the approval of the people of the relevant Kingdom, or Governorate under procedures established by law. Every constituent government and constitution shall comply with this Constitution and applicable law.
Article 8: Military Draft and Service
Section 1: Duty During an Active Draft
In time of an active draft, a person who has been drafted shall not leave the Totemian Empire until that person's service is no longer needed.
Section 2: Minimum Age for Wartime Drafting
The minimum age for compulsory military service during wartime shall be 13 years.
Section 3: Draft Eligibility Regardless of Gender
Every person otherwise liable to military drafting shall be subject to the same rules of eligibility and obligation regardless of actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or gender classification, whether assigned, recorded, attributed, or self-identified. Draft eligibility shall not be reserved to men, and no person shall be excluded or exempted solely on any such ground.
Article 9: Taxation
Section 1: Authority to Impose Taxes
Parliament may impose, amend, renew, suspend, or repeal an imperial tax by Act of Parliament. The Emperor may do the same by Imperial Order.
Section 2: Required Legal Particulars
An Act or Imperial Order imposing a tax shall state the tax's name, the person, property, transaction, income, activity, or other subject taxed, the rate or method of calculation, the date on which it takes effect, and the authority responsible for its administration.
Section 3: Tax Code Entry
No tax may be collected until it is listed in the Tax Code of the Civil Code. The Tax Code entry shall identify the legal instrument imposing the tax and shall accurately state every matter required by Section 2.
Section 4: Updating and Observance of the Tax Code
The Tax Code shall be updated without delay whenever a tax is amended, renewed, suspended, repealed, expires, or otherwise ceases to operate. No tax may be collected contrary to its current Tax Code entry.
Section 5: Minimum Period Before Taxation Takes Effect
A newly imposed or reintroduced tax, or an amendment increasing liability, extending the taxable class or base, or advancing a payment date, shall take effect no earlier than 7 full calendar days after the later of its lawful enactment or issuance and the recording of its complete operative Tax Code entry. The day of the later event shall be excluded when calculating that period. No liability under the new or increased charge shall accrue for an earlier date or period.
This waiting period shall apply to taxation imposed by any state organ, subnational government, locality, or other public authority. The imposing instrument may prescribe a later commencement date. Collection shall follow the first lawful scheduled collection date or payroll release on or after commencement. Administrative preparation may begin before commencement.
A reduction, exemption, suspension, or repeal may take effect immediately. Continuation of an existing tax at the same or a lower burden, without interruption or an earlier payment date, shall not restart the waiting period.
Section 6: State Religion Maintenance Tax
Parliament may, by Act of Parliament, or the Emperor may, by Imperial Order, impose a State Religion Maintenance Tax for the maintenance and lawful activities of the State Religion. The tax may be calculated by reference to members’ bank balances, taxable payroll remuneration, taxable property, or a combination of those bases, corresponding to the Wealth Bank Balance Tax, Payroll Tax, or Property Tax as provided by law.
Liability shall attach only to individuals who have voluntarily declared and recorded their membership for civil taxation purposes. Residence, ancestry, attendance at a ceremony, or an assertion of membership by another person shall not alone establish liability. An individual may withdraw that declaration through an accessible civil procedure; future membership-based liability shall end from the recorded effective date of withdrawal. Liability lawfully accrued before that date shall remain payable.
The imposing instrument shall identify the liable members, taxable base, rates or calculation method, applicable exemptions, commencement date, collection frequency, administering authority, and destination of receipts. The tax shall be separately identified and accounted for, including where calculated by reference to property, and shall be subject to Sections 2–5 and applicable tax exemptions.
Section 7: Religious Tax Plans and Administration
The competent religious authority of the State Religion may submit a proposed maintenance-tax plan to Parliament or the Emperor. The proposal shall state its intended expenditure, taxable membership, proposed bases and rates, exemptions, and collection frequency. Its assessment and collection arrangements shall align with the tax administration, valuation, payroll, and collection schedules prescribed by the applicable taxation policy.
A maintenance-tax bill shall follow the ordinary legislative procedure under Article 12. An Imperial Order may establish the plan under Section 1. The enacted instrument shall prescribe collection through the competent revenue authorities and authorized financial systems.
Receipts shall be earmarked for the State Religion’s maintenance and lawful activities, after collection costs expressly authorized by the imposing instrument. They shall be treated as membership revenue collected for that purpose rather than as a grant from general public funds. Separate accounts and records shall identify the amounts assessed, collected, transferred, spent, and remaining. The State Religion’s receipt or administration of that revenue shall not confer state-organ status or independent public taxing powers upon it.
Article 10: Legislative Structure and Legal Effect
Section 1: Parliamentary Enactment
An Act passed by Parliament shall acquire the force of law upon Imperial assent, subject to the constitutional requirements governing its enactment.
Section 2: Enactment by Public Referendum
A law or constitutional amendment enacted by public referendum shall acquire legal effect upon certification of its approval.
Article 11: Constituent Governments and Settlements
Section 1: Forms of Constituent Government
A Kingdom is ruled by a King or a Queen, a Governorate is ruled by a Governor, a Territory is ruled by a Lord Proprietor or the Imperial Government. a Colonial Dependency (a Colony) shall be run by the respective leader title of which the Colony government is made of, such as but not limited to, a Proprietary colony ("Commonwealth of")
Section 2: Autonomy and Imperial Authority
Kingdoms and Governorates have limited autonomy, so it has previously been stated they can make their own laws but they MUST follow the constitution and the imperial laws. The Imperial Government has the right to dissolve a Kingdom, Governorate, and any other imperial subject And or remove its head of state.
Section 3: Independence and Treason
A Kingdom or Governorate seeking independence without consulting the Emperor for possible compromises would and WILL be considered First Degree Treason.
Section 4: Settlement Administration and Governors
All settlements except for Imperial Cetés, Foers (Forts), Campés (Campés), and Beurgs (Settlements outside of Foers) are ruled and managed by their respective imperial subjects. Governors have 2-month-long terms, with a 3-term limit. However, if their population cannot afford to hold an election, the Governor may rule at His Imperial Majesty's Pleasure.
The Imperial Government rules over Imperial Cetés and Foers (Forts), Campés (Campés) and Beurgs (Settlements outside of Foers).
Imperial Cetés can be managed by the Emperor if he decides to become Lord Mayor of that Cetés, where the authority moves from the Government to the Emperor himself.
Section 5: Status of Constituent Monarchs
Kings/Queens are classified as ceremonial monarchs unless otherwise stated, with the same power as a Governor, except for their royal title in their respective kingdom.
Section 6: Settlements and Charters
The settlements shall be of; Cetés (Cities), Toens (Towns), Staugs (Small Towns), and Detches (Villages)
Settlements can be registered for charter in the settlement registry, once approved by the Minister of the Interior or the Emperor, the settlement is granted that charter.
Section 7: Territorial Divisions
Kingdoms will be divided into: Kingdom (Led by a King/Queen, assisted by a Regent & a unicameral legislature called a Royal Council) > Dukedoms/Duchies (Led by a Duke/Duchess) > Earldoms (Led by an Earl/Countess)> Baronships (Led by a Baron/Baroness) (Settlements) All Dukes, Earls, Barons (the nobility) will be apart of the Royal Council.
Governorates will be divided into: Governorate (Led by a Governor, assisted by a Lieutenant Governor & a unicameral legislature called a General Assembly > Provinces (Led by a Provost) > Counties (Led by a Sheriff) > Settlement (Led by a Mayor)
Territories will be divided into: Territory (Led by a Lord Proprietor, assisted by a Deputy Proprietor & a unicameral legislature called a Territorial Council) > Provinces (Led by a Governor) > Counties (Led by a Sheriff) > Settlement (Led by a Mayor)
Article 12: Parliament and Legislative Procedure
Section 1: Composition of Parliament
The Parliament of the Totemian Empire is the bicameral legislative body of the Totemian Empire and consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Commons shall have 16 seats, including its Speaker and the seat reserved for the Vice Chancellor under Article 3, Section 11. The House of Lords may have no more than 16 seats, including its Lord Speaker. The presiding officers shall be the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Section 2: Ordinary Bills
An ordinary bill may be introduced in either House. It shall pass the House in which it was introduced by a simple majority of the valid votes cast and shall then be sent to the other House. If the other House also approves the bill by a simple majority of the valid votes cast, the bill shall be sent to the Chancellor.
Constitutional amendment bills, including Constitutional Override Amendments, shall be governed by Article 5. The procedures in Sections 2–6 of this Article shall not replace or dispense with the requirements of Article 5.
Section 3: House Override Bills
If an ordinary bill is approved by a simple majority of the valid votes cast in its originating House, but fails to receive the required simple majority in the other House on its final vote, the originating House may introduce a House Override Bill.
A House Override Bill shall identify the original bill and contain a declaration substantially in the following form:
"The bill entitled '[Official Title of Original Bill]', having received the approval of the House of [Originating House], failed to receive the required approval of the House of [Other House]. This House Override Bill is introduced to continue the legislative proceedings of the identified bill without alteration to its original text."
A House Override Bill shall require approval by at least 2/3 of the valid votes cast in the originating House. Upon its approval, the original bill shall be deemed passed by Parliament and shall be presented to the Chancellor under Section 4 without approval by the other House.
Section 4: Presentation to the Chancellor and Imperial Assent
A bill passed under Section 2 or Section 3 shall be presented to the Chancellor. If the Chancellor does not veto it, it shall be presented to the Emperor. Upon Imperial assent, the bill becomes law.
Section 5: Chancellor's Veto and Chancellor Override Bills
If the Chancellor vetoes a bill passed under Section 2 or Section 3, Parliament may introduce a Chancellor Override Bill.
A Chancellor Override Bill shall identify the original bill and contain a declaration substantially in the following form:
"The bill entitled '[Official Title of Original Bill]', having been passed by Parliament and presented to the Chancellor, failed to receive the Chancellor's approval and was vetoed. This Chancellor Override Bill is introduced to continue the legislative proceedings of the identified bill notwithstanding the Chancellor's veto, without alteration to its original text."
A Chancellor Override Bill shall pass only if at least 2/3 of the valid votes cast in the House of Commons and at least 2/3 of the valid votes cast in the House of Lords are in favor of overriding the Chancellor's veto.
Upon approval of a Chancellor Override Bill, the original bill shall be sent directly to the Emperor for Imperial assent, without further approval by the Chancellor.
Parliament may refer a proposed law to a public referendum under Article 20, Section 18.
Section 5A: Common Provisions for Override Bills
Each House Override Bill and Chancellor Override Bill shall identify the original bill by its official title and by reference to the parliamentary record establishing the original bill's text and the legislative action that prevented its advancement.
The original bill's text shall be incorporated by reference and need not be reproduced in an Override Bill. An Override Bill shall not amend, replace, or otherwise alter the original bill's substantive provisions.
Approval of an Override Bill shall continue the original bill from the stage at which it failed to advance. The Override Bill shall not independently enact the original bill or dispense with any further approval or Imperial assent required by this Constitution.
A House Override Bill and a Chancellor Override Bill shall remain subject to the bill-form requirements prescribed by law, but shall be governed by the special voting thresholds in Sections 3 and 5, respectively, rather than the ordinary-bill voting threshold in Section 2.
Section 6: Emergency Bills
For an emergency bill, both Houses shall vote simultaneously on the same text. If 2/3 of each House votes in favor, the bill shall be sent directly to the Emperor and shall become law upon Imperial assent.
Section 7: Appointment and Removal of Members
Appointments to the House of Lords shall be made by the Emperor. A sitting member of either House may be removed from office only by the Emperor and only for sufficient reason.
This limitation shall not prevent the removal of a directly elected member upon certification of a successful recall in accordance with Article 20.
Section 8: Terms of Office and Elections to the House of Commons
An ordinary elected member of the House of Commons and an appointed member of the House of Lords shall serve for a term of 90 days, subject to the dissolution and assumption-of-office provisions of Section 12. The Vice Chancellor’s reserved seat shall be governed by Article 3, Section 11.
The 15 ordinary elected seats in the House of Commons shall be filled from a single nationwide constituency. Any eligible citizen may file as a candidate. Every incumbent ordinary elected member shall be entered automatically as a candidate for the next general election, subject to continuing eligibility and the right to withdraw. Dissolution before the election shall not cancel that candidacy.
If the number of eligible candidates at the close of nominations does not exceed the number of ordinary elected seats to be filled, all shall be returned unopposed and any remaining seats shall be vacant. If there are more candidates than seats, the seats shall be filled by single transferable vote (STV). Each elector shall have 1 transferable vote and may rank any number of eligible candidates in order of preference, up to all candidates on the ballot, without being limited to the number of seats being filled. No elector shall be required to rank every candidate.
The National Electoral Administration shall administer nominations, uncontested returns, voting, counting, and vacancies under law. Election or return unopposed shall remain subject to Imperial confirmation and the prescribed oath. The Speaker’s seat shall be included within the House’s total and shall not be additional to it.
Section 8A: National Electoral Identity and Ballot Guarantees
Every candidate for Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, or an ordinary elected seat in the House of Commons shall have an active National ID, with legal identity verified against the Civil Registry before candidacy is accepted. Every person elected, returned unopposed, appointed, or otherwise entitled to assume a seat in either House, including the Vice Chancellor's reserved seat, shall have an active National ID verified before assuming office. The Civil Code shall provide for correction of administrative errors. A later identification deficiency shall not independently permit removal of a sitting member contrary to this Constitution.
Every national candidate ballot shall identify candidates by their legal names in the Civil Registry and the registered political parties under which they stand, or "Independent" if unaffiliated. Members of a Chancellery joint ticket shall be separately identified by office, legal name, and individual party affiliation. Legal names shall appear more prominently, with party affiliation or independent status directly beneath. No honorific, noble title, public office other than the office contested, parliamentary designation, academic or professional title, military or religious rank, or political party position shall appear as part of candidate identification. National ID numbers and confidential identifiers shall not be publicly displayed.
Commons candidates shall appear in groups ordered alphabetically by registered political party name, and by surname and then given name within each party group. Independent candidates shall be grouped under "Independent" using the same candidate-sorting rules. Neutral uniform rules shall apply to compound and single legal names. A party's internal hierarchy, incumbency, endorsement, or seniority shall not alter ballot placement.
The designation "Independent" and other terms representing the absence of party affiliation shall be protected against misleading registration or use as political party names or ballot designations. No party shall be registered under a name or abbreviation reasonably likely to be mistaken for "Independent", "No Party", "Unaffiliated", "No Labels", or a substantially equivalent indication of non-affiliation. The Civil Code shall provide for name examination, correction, and review.
In a contested ordinary Commons election, each elector shall have one transferable vote and may rank from one candidate to every eligible candidate on the ballot. The voter-selected order, not printed ballot placement, governs vote allocation and transfers. The first preference receives the vote initially; subsequent preferences may receive vote value upon lawful exclusion or transfer of surplus. Ranking additional candidates shall not confer additional votes, divide a full vote between candidates at the beginning of the count, or diminish the first preference.
Every national electoral ballot shall provide clear, prominent instructions specific to its lawful voting method and medium. No candidate shall be automatically assigned a preference without an affirmative voter choice. Electors shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and correct their preferences before final submission.
The National Electoral Administration may conduct elections using paper ballots, a government-developed digital system, an independently provided external platform, or another lawful voting arrangement. No unique government digital voting platform shall be required. Every arrangement shall preserve ballot secrecy, candidate equality, accessibility, all legally permitted preferences, the prescribed counting method, and independently verifiable election records. The Administration shall remain responsible for conduct and certification. The Civil Code shall prescribe further procedures without diminishing the guarantees in this Section.
Every ballot cast by a registered elector in a public election, referendum, recall, or other public vote shall be subject to independent verification of lawful recording and inclusion in the result. Ballot secrecy shall bind every public authority, including the Emperor. Administrative privileges, account recovery, or an order for production of records shall not confer access to an identified elector's choices.
Where a government-developed digital voting platform is used, electors shall have private access to their voting records and may replace their digital submissions before the final 30 minutes of the relevant voting period, with only the latest accepted lawful submission effective for each contest or question. The Civil Code shall regulate limited participation lookup, private records, trustworthy timing, public verification records and interfaces, independent examination, custody, audit before certification, and review of material irregularities while preserving secrecy.
Section 9: House Resolutions
A House Resolution is a formal expression adopted by one House and represents only the position of that House. It shall be adopted by a majority of votes cast unless the rules of that House require a greater vote.
Section 10: Concurrent Resolutions
A Concurrent Resolution is a formal expression adopted in identical form by both Houses and represents the position of Parliament as a whole. It shall be adopted by a majority of votes cast in each House unless the rules of either House require a greater vote.
Section 11: Subject Matter and Effect of Resolutions
A House Resolution or Concurrent Resolution may censure a person or body, approve or condemn conduct, policy, an idea, an event, or a condition, make a recommendation, or issue another formal statement.
A House Resolution or Concurrent Resolution is not law and requires neither the approval of the Chancellor nor the assent of the Emperor. It shall not amend or repeal law, impose a tax, appropriate money, create an offense, impose a legal duty or penalty, appoint or remove an officeholder, or bind a court, state organ, or person outside the adopting House or Houses.
A Parliamentary Recall Resolution or Parliamentary Referendum Resolution adopted under Article 20 shall be exempt from the limitations of this Section to the extent necessary to initiate and require the administration of the public vote. The legal effect of the result shall follow Article 20.
A censure under this Section records formal disapproval or a political finding of wrongdoing only. It does not establish legal guilt or liability and does not by itself remove, disqualify, or punish any person.
Section 12: Parliamentary Elections, Dissolution, and State Opening
Parliamentary general elections shall be held every 90 days after the preceding general election and shall take place concurrently with general elections for the Chancellery. Only registered citizens may vote.
2 days before a parliamentary general election, the current parliamentary term shall be dissolved by Imperial Proclamation, with the ordinary elected Commons seats and the Lords seats becoming vacant. Parliament shall reconvene after Imperial confirmation of the parliamentary election. Lords shall resume their seats and elected Commons members shall assume their seats under the applicable confirmation and oath requirements. The Vice Chancellor’s reserved seat shall remain governed by Article 3, Section 11.
The elected Members of Parliament shall assume their seats after being sworn in on the day the Emperor confirms the election as legitimate.
A State Opening of Parliament, a ceremonial re-opening of Parliament, will occur 2-5 days or longer after the Inauguration of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. It will consist of a meeting of both Houses of Parliament assembled in the House of Peers chamber, where the Emperor will speak to Parliament from the throne, outlining the government plan of the elected Chancellor, accompanied by the Empress if applicable, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and Advisory Council.
Section 13: Parliamentary Oath of Office
Every Member of Parliament shall make the following solemn affirmation before assuming the duties of office:
"I solemnly (swear or affirm) that, guided by my political convictions, I will faithfully discharge my parliamentary duties, fulfill my responsibilities to the Totemian Empire, uphold its Imperial Orders, Constitution, Civil Code, and other laws, and recognize the sovereign authority of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Vasili the First and his designated successors."
Section 14: Concurrent Mandates
Parliament may, by law, regulate concurrent mandates to prevent conflicts of interest, abuses of power, or improper legislative advantage. Such regulations may restrict or suspend the exercise of powers arising from a person's simultaneous holding of multiple offices, titles, seats, or positions, including legislative and voting powers in either House of Parliament, without requiring the relinquishment of any such office, title, seat, or position. Restrictions shall remain effective for the period prescribed by law or, in the absence of such provision, for as long as the conflicting mandates are held concurrently. Powers independently conferred by the office being protected from conflict shall remain unaffected, except where this Constitution expressly provides otherwise.
Section 15: Impeachment of the Chancellor
The Chancellor can be impeached by the House of Commons. If the House of Commons approves of charges, being articles of impeachment, the House of Lords will then hold a trial to determine whether they should be impeached. It will then go to the Chief Justice, and if they agree, it will go to the Emperor, who will have the final say. If either the Articles of Impeachment are not approved, the House of Lords trial fails, the Chief Justice vetoes, or if the Emperor vetoes, the process ends. If they are successfully impeached, the Chancellor will be removed from office and succeeded by the Vice Chancellor on that same day.
Section 16: Impeachment of the Vice Chancellor
The Vice Chancellor can be separately impeached by the House of Commons. If the House of Commons approves of charges, being articles of impeachment, the House of Lords will then hold a trial to determine whether they should be impeached. It will then go to the Chief Justice, and if they agree, it will go to the Emperor, who will have the final say. If either the Articles of Impeachment are not approved, the House of Lords trial fails, the Chief Justice vetoes, or if the Emperor vetoes, the process ends. If they are successfully impeached, the Vice Chancellor will be removed from office, and the Chancellor will appoint a new Vice Chancellor with the consent of the Emperor.
Section 17: Grounds for Removal on Impeachment
The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and all civil Officers of the Totemian Empire shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Section 18: Determination of Parliamentary Votes
For the purposes of determining whether a measure has obtained a required majority or fraction of votes in either House, only valid votes cast in favor of or against the measure shall be counted. Absences and abstentions shall not count as votes cast or as votes against a measure, and vacant seats shall not count toward the sitting membership. This Section shall not alter any express requirement concerning the entire sitting membership.
A vote in favor recorded for an eligible prime sponsor under law shall count as a valid vote cast only in a digital vote under Section 23. Any formal vote or abstention recorded before voting closes shall replace that default vote.
Section 19: Formal Declaration of Imperial Assent
The Emperor shall signify Imperial assent to a Bill passed by the Parliament of the Totemian Empire by a dated declaration identifying the Emperor by name and Imperial titles and identifying the Bill by its official title, in the following form:
“I, [Name], Emperor of all the Totemias, [Additional Imperial Titles], hereby grant my Imperial Assent to the Bill entitled ‘[Full Official Title of Bill]’, as passed by the Parliament of the Totemian Empire, on [Day] [Month] [Year]. By this assent, the Bill becomes law of the Totemian Empire and takes effect in accordance with its provisions.”
Illustrative example only:
“I, Vasili the First, Emperor of all the Totemias, King of Omnislavia, Grand Marshal of the Imperial Armed Forces, Supreme Head of the Imperial Government, Pauramonté of the High Government, Head of the Commonwealth, hereby grant my Imperial Assent to the Bill entitled ‘Constitutional Reform Act of 2026’, as passed by the Parliament of the Totemian Empire, on 25 October 2026. By this assent, the Bill becomes law of the Totemian Empire and takes effect in accordance with its provisions.”
Each bracketed field shall be completed before the declaration is authenticated. The additional Imperial titles shall be those recognized in Article 2, Section 7, excluding the title Emperor of all the Totemias already stated in the declaration. The Bill's official title shall be reproduced as passed by Parliament, and the date shall be written in day-month-year order, with the day expressed numerically without an ordinal suffix, the month spelled out, and the year expressed in four digits, separated by spaces without a comma, for example, 13 October 2026. The declaration shall bear the Emperor's signature or another authenticated expression of assent. It records the grant of Imperial assent and shall not require further approval by Parliament.
Section 20: Mandatory Parliamentary Enacting Clause
Every bill introduced in the Parliament of the Totemian Empire, including a bill to amend the Constitution, shall contain the following enacting clause before its operative provisions:
"Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Totemian Empire, duly assembled, with the assent of the Emperor, as follows:"
Section 21: Submission of Bills for Floor Votes
A Member of Parliament entitled to introduce a bill may submit it directly to the competent House for consideration and a floor vote. Referral to another body, or that body’s review, approval, recommendation, or other action, shall not be required for the bill to reach the floor for voting.
Parliament may obtain research, advice, and drafting assistance. A bill’s progression to a floor vote shall not depend upon the completion of those activities.
The submission, consideration, and passage of bills shall comply with the voting thresholds and legislative procedures established by this Constitution, including passage between Houses, Chancellery legislative review where required, and Imperial assent.
Section 22: Appropriations
Parliament shall have the right, by law, to appropriate funds of the Totemian Empire, determine their use, and amend or repeal appropriations.
Parliament may, by law, direct the transfer or reallocation of appropriated funds.
Section 23: Digital Voting and Sittings at the Capitol
A vote on a bill conducted remotely or through a digital voting period shall remain open to all eligible members for at least 24 continuous hours. The complete text being voted upon shall be available to every eligible member throughout that period. The result shall not be declared final before the period expires, even if the required threshold has already been reached.
For parliamentary voting records, the date on which a bill is introduced in Parliament shall be its voting date. All votes cast digitally on the bill shall be recorded under that date, including votes cast after midnight or on a later calendar day. The minimum 24-hour voting period shall be measured from the actual time at which voting opens.
The 24-hour period shall not apply to a vote taken during a duly convened sitting of the House in its chamber in the Capitol Building. The sitting and the full text of the bill shall be notified to all members in advance in accordance with the rules of the House. Only members present in the chamber when the vote is taken may vote; every other member shall be recorded as absent. Votes shall be cast during the sitting, and no default sponsor vote, proxy vote, or previously submitted remote vote shall be counted.
Use of electronic equipment solely to record votes cast by members present in the chamber shall not make the vote a remote vote. If remote participation is permitted, the 24-hour rule shall apply. These rules shall apply to every vote on the passage, reconsideration, amendment, or veto override of a bill, including constitutional and emergency bills.
Article 13: Rights and Powers of the Totemian Empire
Section 1: Currency and Monetary Control
The Totemian Empire shall possess the exclusive right to create, mint, and issue currency within the Totemian Empire, and shall have authority over the central management, circulation, possession, use, and influence of currency and money within its jurisdiction.
Currency may be held by the Totemian Empire, individuals, and private organizations as a temporary possession subject to the Totemian Empire's monetary control. The Totemian Empire may impose taxation, monetary limits, restrictions, and seizures, and may regulate the influence exercised through the possession or use of money.
Currency shall serve as a means of exchange for limited resources, labor, and skill. The Totemian Empire may use taxation to recirculate existing currency and manage its supply. The Totemian Empire shall also have the right to borrow money and issue debt.
Section 2: Regulation for Social Cohesion
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to regulate persons, organizations, economic activity, conduct, association, and expression where necessary for social cohesion or the well-being of the Totemian Empire or society as a whole. This authority shall include the protection of identities and persons associated with those identities where necessary for social cohesion.
Regulation under this Section shall be directed to the stated public purpose and shall not be exercised for the private advantage of an officeholder or private actor.
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the creation, publication, distribution, display, possession, or use of media and other expressive material. Restrictions may apply to particular works or categories of material based on their content, subject matter, form, or method of production.
Section 3: Regulation and Control of the Economy
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to regulate, direct, organize, and exercise control over the economy, and to participate directly in economic activity.
Where the Totemian Empire has established no governing economic policy or restriction, private actors may continue to operate. Such operation shall not limit the Totemian Empire's right to establish policy, impose regulation, or exercise control over the economy.
Section 4: Land and Subordinate Governments
The Totemian Empire shall have authority over the lands of the Totemian Empire, including lands held or administered by subnational governments and localities. It may establish, alter, reorganize, or dissolve subordinate governments and change their powers, structures, territorial jurisdiction, and control of land. The Emperor may also exercise this authority in relation to subordinate governments.
No compensation shall be payable to a subnational government, locality, or other subordinate government for the transfer, taking, or reassignment of governmental land or the alteration of its governmental powers or structure.
The Totemian Empire may acquire or take privately owned land. The owner shall receive compensation of not less than 110% of the legally listed property value of the land.
Where land is privately owned under the constitutional right to land but has no lawful property listing, a competent court shall determine its ownership, value, and compensation. Compensation shall include the same minimum addition of 10% to the property value determined by the court.
Section 5: Strategic Interests and Organs of the Totemian Empire
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to protect and control strategic interests in the economy where necessary for social cohesion or the preservation of the Totemian Empire. For those purposes it may introduce regulation, prescribe what activities must or must not be undertaken, impose restrictions, and establish, operate, reorganize, or dissolve governmental organizations and organs of the Totemian Empire.
The Totemian Empire may require private organizations to provide goods, services, facilities, information, coordination, or other assistance needed to meet governmental requirements for those purposes.
Section 6: Regulation of the Totemian Empire
The Totemian Empire shall have the power to regulate itself, including its internal organization, administration, procedures, institutional operations, and the conduct of its organs.
Section 7: Exercise and Delegation of Powers
All powers vested in or conferred upon the Totemian Empire may be exercised by the Emperor or given effect through Acts of Parliament, Imperial Orders, and other lawful instruments, in accordance with the hierarchy of legal authority. Such instruments may establish state organs or institutions and confer or delegate powers to them, or assign powers to existing organs or institutions.
Every state organ or institution shall exercise only powers conferred by law or lawfully delegated to it, within the jurisdiction, purposes, procedures, and conditions prescribed by the governing law or instrument of delegation. Its creation shall not, by itself, confer powers beyond those provided by law. Powers expressly reserved to a particular organ, institution, or office shall be exercised or delegated only in accordance with the provisions governing that reservation.
Section 8: Military and Security Forces
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to establish, maintain, organize, equip, and operate its own military and security forces, within and outside its territory, in accordance with this Constitution and applicable law.
Section 9: Borders, Immigration, and Citizenship
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to control its borders and regulate entry into, residence within, and departure from its territory, including immigration, admission, naturalization, and citizenship.
Section 10: Foreign Relations
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to conduct foreign relations; recognize foreign states and governments and withdraw such recognition; establish and maintain diplomatic and consular missions; conclude, amend, and terminate treaties and other international agreements, including military treaties and alliances; participate in international organizations; and impose, modify, and lift sanctions.
Section 11: State Provision and Development
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to establish, provide, maintain, and operate services, industries, infrastructure, and facilities, including education, healthcare, housing, transportation, utilities, communications, and social assistance.
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to directly undertake production, including the creation of goods, commodities, works of art, and other material or intellectual works.
The Totemian Empire shall also have the right to directly undertake construction, alteration, repair, renovation, and demolition.
Section 12: Ideological and Cultural Work
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to create, publish, distribute, and promote propaganda; develop and promote ideologies; and undertake ideological education and cultural work.
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to identify, designate, preserve, restore, and promote cultural heritage, including works of art, historic sites, monuments, artifacts, archives, traditions, and other material or intangible heritage.
Section 13: Legal Instruments and Bodies of Rules
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to establish, recognize, organize, regulate, amend, and repeal legal instruments and bodies of rules, regardless of their title or designation.
The Totemian Empire may determine their legal status, scope, and position within the hierarchy of legal authority. It may prescribe procedures for their adoption, amendment, administration, and enforcement.
The Totemian Empire may give legal effect to instruments and rules adopted by state organs or organizations and determine whom they legally bind. Recognition shall not, by itself, make state approval a condition for an organization to adopt or amend its own internal rules.
Section 14: Standards and Official Records
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to establish and regulate standards of measurement, timekeeping, identification, certification, and classification.
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to conduct censuses, compile statistics, maintain official records and registries, and determine their legal effect.
Section 15: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to explore, develop, manage, conserve, and regulate natural resources.
The Totemian Empire shall have the right to protect and restore the environment, preserve ecosystems and wildlife, prevent and control pollution, and establish protected areas.
Article 14: Religion, Expression, Assembly, and Petition
Section 1: Freedom of Religion
Every person shall enjoy freedom of religious belief and practice. No person shall be compelled to profess or renounce a religion or participate in worship. Religious practice may be restricted by law only where necessary and proportionate to protect the public interest.
Section 2: State Religion
The establishment of a State Religion, its replacement by another religion, or the removal of its status as State Religion shall require approval by public referendum under Article 20.
The proposition shall identify the religion concerned and set out the complete proposed legislative text. A proposition establishing or replacing a State Religion shall include:
(A) the official name of the proposed State Religion;
(B) its organizational hierarchy, listing every office, its powers, and its position within that hierarchy; and
(C) its foundational rules governing its organization and internal affairs.
The hierarchy and foundational rules shall be set out in the proposed amendments to the Civil Code. Where replacement is proposed, the proposition shall identify both the existing State Religion and its proposed successor.
Upon Imperial assent to an Act of Parliament providing for a change in status under this Section, the National Electoral Administration shall submit the proposition without requiring a petition or further parliamentary referral. Assent shall qualify the proposition and start the timetable in Article 20, Section 16. Approval shall require the applicable threshold in Article 20, Section 3, calculated under Section 7.
The change shall take effect upon certification under Article 20, Section 17, or on a later date specified in the approved text.
The Totemian Empire may support the State Religion by law. The State Religion shall be a religious organization and shall not constitute a state organ. Its religious offices and internal governance shall be prescribed by the Civil Code and its lawful canon law.
Section 3: Protection of Other Religions
The establishment or support of a state religion shall not authorize interference with other religions, the destruction of their institutions or places of worship, or restrictions imposed solely because they differ from the state religion.
Section 4: Canon Law
A state religion may govern its internal affairs through canon law, subject to this Constitution and the Civil Code. The Civil Code may prescribe its scope, limits, and procedures for adoption and amendment.
Section 5: Structure and Hierarchy
Upon the establishment or reorganization of a state religion, all offices, their powers, and their place within its hierarchy shall be set out in a dedicated section of the Civil Code. Its canon law shall conform to that structure and clearly identify the authority of each office.
Section 6: Funding and Grants
Public funding may be allotted to the State Religion for purposes authorized by law. Grants may be made available to the State Religion and other religious organizations from funds authorized for that purpose, under fair and transparent eligibility criteria. Member-funded religious maintenance taxation shall be governed by Article 9.
Section 7: Freedom of Expression and the Press
Every person shall enjoy freedom of expression and the press, including the right to seek, receive, and communicate information and ideas through any medium. These freedoms may be restricted by law only where necessary and proportionate to protect the public interest. Criticism of public authorities or religious institutions shall not, by itself, justify restriction or punishment.
Section 8: Media and Expressive Material
The creation, publication, distribution, display, and possession of media and expressive material may be regulated by law, subject to Section 7. Any restriction shall identify the material or conduct concerned and the public interest protected.
Section 9: Peaceful Assembly and Association
Every person shall enjoy freedom of peaceful assembly and association. These freedoms may be restricted by law only where necessary and proportionate to protect the public interest.
Section 10: Petition and Protection of Rights
Every person shall have the right, individually or collectively, to petition the Imperial Government, subnational governments, localities, and their respective authorities for redress of grievances, without retaliation for doing so.
Restrictions under this Article shall be subject to judicial review. The powers provided by Article 13, Section 2, insofar as they concern rights protected by this Article, shall be exercised subject to this Article.
Article 15: Military and Security Forces
Section 1: Subnational Military Forces
Subnational governments shall have the right to establish, organize, equip, and maintain their own military forces, subject to this Constitution and the Civil Code.
Section 2: Locality Security Forces
Localities may establish and maintain security forces but shall not establish or maintain military forces.
Section 3: Private Security Forces
Private persons may establish and maintain security forces upon notifying the Imperial Government of their name, identifying symbols, and responsible leadership. Any additional requirements or restrictions governing such forces shall have effect only if prescribed in the Civil Code.
Section 4: Regulation
Parliament shall have authority to regulate military and security forces established under this Article. Such regulations shall have effect only if the Civil Code is amended to provide for them.
Section 5: Weapons and Vehicles
Every person, and every military or security force lawfully established under this Article, may acquire, possess, carry, and use weapons and vehicles for lawful personal defense, security, or military purposes, subject to this Article.
Section 6: Restrictions and Public Approval
Any law restricting or prohibiting the acquisition, possession, carrying, use, sale, or distribution of weapons or vehicles for personal defense, security, or military purposes shall require passage by Parliament, Imperial assent, and approval by public referendum. Such restrictions shall have effect only if the Civil Code is amended to provide for them.
Upon Imperial assent, the National Electoral Administration shall submit the approved text to a public referendum without requiring a petition or further parliamentary referral. Approval shall require at least 60% of participating voters, calculated under Article 20. The restriction shall take effect only after certification of approval, or on any later date specified in the law.
These requirements shall apply equally to subsequent amendments imposing, extending, or strengthening a restriction, notwithstanding the expiry of the protection period under Article 20.
Section 7: Storage and Training
Rules governing storage or training shall not require public referendum approval. Such rules shall not be used to impose restrictions on acquisition, possession, carrying, use, sale, or distribution without satisfying Section 6.
Article 16: Quartering of Soldiers
Section 1: Consent and Legal Requirements for Quartering
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Article 17: Security Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
Section 1: Security and Warrant Requirements
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article 18: Equal Civil Opportunity
Section 1: Equal Civil Opportunity
Every citizen and every other person lawfully resident in the Totemian Empire shall have the right, subject to applicable legal qualifications and procedures, to establish and operate a lawful commercial organization, acquire and own land, seek employment in the private sector or public service, pursue education, and use public transportation. Access to these activities shall not be denied or restricted solely on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or political opinion or affiliation.
Article 19: Right to Seek Refuge
Section 1: Right to Seek Refuge
Every person shall have the right to seek refuge in the Totemian Empire and to have that request considered by the competent state organ in accordance with law, without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or political opinion.
Section 2: Determination of Refuge Applications
The competent state organ may grant or refuse refuge on grounds established by law, including serious criminal conduct, material threats to public safety or state security, or material fraud in the application. The right to seek refuge shall not, by itself, confer an unconditional right to enter or remain in the Totemian Empire.
Article 20: Voting, Referendums, and Recall
Section 1: Voting Rights
All citizens shall have the right to vote in elections, public referendums, recalls, and other public votes when provided by law.
Section 2: Ballot Petitions
Citizens may place a proposed law, constitutional amendment, amendment or repeal of ordinary law, or recall on the ballot by petition. A petition shall require valid signatures from at least 10% of the number of citizens who cast a valid ballot in the most recent Imperial general election, rounded up to the next whole number and subject to a minimum of 1 signature. A citizen voting in more than 1 contest at that election shall be counted once. The National Electoral Administration shall publish the resulting signature requirement.
Section 3: Public Referendum Approval Thresholds
A public referendum concerning ordinary law shall pass if at least 60% of participating voters vote in favor. A public referendum concerning a constitutional amendment shall pass if at least 70% of participating voters vote in favor.
Section 4: Recall Eligibility and Approval
A recall may only be used against an office filled by direct public election, except as provided in this Section for an appointed replacement Vice Chancellor, and shall pass if at least 60% of participating voters vote in favor.
An ordinary elected office filled by an unopposed return shall be treated as an office filled by direct public election for the purposes of recall.
An appointed replacement Vice Chancellor shall become eligible for recall after 14 consecutive calendar days of service under that appointment. A recall petition against that appointee may not be filed, and a Parliamentary Recall Resolution against that appointee may not be adopted, before that period has elapsed. This waiting period shall not restrict impeachment or any lawful power of the Emperor.
Section 5: Certification and Protection of Referendum Laws
A law, amendment, or repeal approved by public referendum shall take effect once certified. Parliament shall not amend, repeal, suspend, or weaken a law approved by public referendum for 90 days after certification, unless approved by another public referendum.
Section 6: Removal and Filling of Vacancies Following Recall
A successful recall shall remove the official from office upon certification. The resulting vacancy shall be filled under the succession, election, or appointment rules applicable to that office, including Section 11 for vacancies in the Chancellery.
Section 7: Participating Voters
For the purposes of this Article, participating voters means citizens who cast a valid vote in favor of or against the question submitted. Citizens who do not vote, abstain, or cast an invalid vote shall not be included in the total of participating voters. The applicable percentage required for approval shall be calculated solely from the valid affirmative and negative votes cast on that question. Where no valid affirmative or negative vote is cast, the proposal shall not be approved.
Section 8: Referendum Enacting Clause
Every proposed law, constitutional amendment, or repeal submitted for enactment by public referendum shall bear, upon approval, the following enactment clause: "Be it enacted by the People of the Totemian Empire, as follows:". This clause shall be used in place of the parliamentary enactment clause. The legal effect of the measure and the certification of the referendum shall continue to be governed by this Article.
Section 9: Parliamentary Recall Resolutions
Parliament may initiate a recall referendum against the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, or both by a Parliamentary Recall Resolution approved by at least 2/3 of the valid votes cast in each House. Approval by both Houses shall be required; the procedure for passing an ordinary bill without the other House's approval shall not apply. The resolution may originate in either House and shall identify the official or officials concerned.
A Parliamentary Recall Resolution shall not constitute a bill and shall require neither the Chancellor's approval nor Imperial assent. Neither the Chancellor nor the Emperor may veto or prevent a recall referendum lawfully initiated under this Section. Upon approval by both Houses, the resolution shall be transmitted directly to the Emperor and the National Electoral Administration, without any requirement to collect petition signatures. The right of citizens to initiate a recall by petition under Section 2 remains unaffected.
Where both the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor are named, each shall be the subject of a separate recall question. The outcome concerning one shall not determine the outcome concerning the other. The resolution shall not itself suspend or remove either official.
Section 10: Calling and Conduct of Parliamentary Recall Referendums
Within 5 days after parliamentary approval of a recall resolution, the Emperor shall issue a proclamation fixing the date of the referendum. The vote shall take place no earlier than 7 days and no later than 21 days after that approval. If the Emperor does not issue the proclamation within 5 days, the National Electoral Administration shall fix the vote for the 21st day after parliamentary approval.
The National Electoral Administration shall conduct and certify the recall referendum in accordance with law. A recall shall succeed if at least 60% of participating voters vote in favor. The Emperor's proclamation shall fix the date only and shall not constitute an approval of the recall or a power to cancel or postpone it beyond the period prescribed in this Section. No further approval by Parliament, the Chancellor, or the Emperor shall be required for a certified recall to take effect.
Section 11: Succession and Vacancies Following Recall
Upon certification of a successful recall of the Chancellor, that office shall immediately become vacant. If the Vice Chancellor remains in office and is able to serve, the Vice Chancellor shall immediately exercise the duties and powers of Acting Chancellor until a successor assumes office.
If both the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor are recalled, or if the Vice Chancellor is unable or ineligible to act, the Emperor shall appoint an Acting Chancellor without delay. Pending that appointment, the Emperor may directly exercise the governmental functions necessary for continuity. Parliament may recommend an Acting Chancellor but shall not appoint one by resolution.
A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Chancellor shall be held within 21 days after certification of the recall, unless the next regularly scheduled general election is due within that period, in which case the vacancy shall be filled at that general election. Where both the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor are recalled, the election shall fill both offices. The successful candidate or candidates shall assume office following Imperial confirmation of the election and administration of the required oath of office, without waiting for the ordinary monthly inauguration date.
Where only the Vice Chancellor is recalled, the Chancellor may appoint a replacement with the consent of the Emperor in accordance with the constitutional rules for filling that vacancy.
A recall of the Chancellor or Vice Chancellor shall not dissolve Parliament, vacate other parliamentary seats, shorten the parliamentary term, or alter the date of the next regularly scheduled general election. An Acting Chancellor shall remain subject to the constitutional limitations applicable to that office.
Section 12: Limitation on Repeated Recall Proceedings
No further recall referendum may be initiated against the same person in respect of the same office until 30 days have elapsed after certification of the preceding recall referendum, whether that referendum succeeded or failed. This limitation shall apply to parliamentary and citizen-initiated recalls, and a duplicate recall proceeding against the same person and office shall not be commenced while another is pending.
The limitation shall attach only to the particular person and office concerned. It shall not apply to a successor occupying that office, to another office held by the same person, or to a different officeholder. It shall not restrict Parliament's power of investigation or impeachment or any lawful constitutional power of the Emperor.
Section 13: Ballot Wording and Statements of Effect
Every referendum, recall, or other public vote decided between 2 alternatives shall provide the choices “IN FAVOR” and “AGAINST”, identify the measure or office concerned, and explain the effect of each choice in neutral language. Legislative propositions shall be presented through an official title, a descriptive title stating the principal legal changes, and the prescribed statements of effect.
A vote in favor shall support the proposed action, and a vote against shall oppose it. A recall question shall ask whether the named officeholder should be removed from the specified office.
The ballot shall state the applicable approval threshold and any certification or other condition required for the result to take legal effect. Ballot wording shall comply with the constitutional procedures governing the particular vote.
Section 14: Registration and Collection of Citizen Petitions
An organizer shall file the complete proposed text, or the name and office of the person whose recall is sought, with the National Electoral Administration. Within 3 calendar days after receipt, the Administration shall register the petition and publish its text, signature requirement, and collection deadline, or give written notice identifying a specific legal or filing defect. The organizer shall have 5 calendar days to correct a notified defect. Registration shall concern legal eligibility and completeness, without assessment of political merit.
Signatures may be collected for 30 calendar days after registration. The signature requirement shall be fixed at registration. Each signatory shall be a registered citizen eligible to vote on the question when signing, and may sign once. The proposed text or recall target shall remain unchanged throughout collection. An organizer who changes either shall register a new petition. Signatures shall be capable of verification, including through secure digital means, and may be withdrawn before submission for verification. Signing shall support placing the question on the ballot and shall not bind the signatory’s vote.
Section 15: Verification and Review of Citizen Petitions
The organizer may submit the petition for verification before the collection deadline and shall submit it no later than that deadline. Within 7 calendar days after submission, the National Electoral Administration shall certify that the petition qualifies or issue a reasoned notice identifying invalid signatures and any shortfall. The organizer shall have 3 calendar days to correct verification errors or supply evidence concerning signatures already submitted. New signatures may be added only within the original collection period. A final decision shall be issued within 3 calendar days after the correction period ends or the organizer submits a final response, whichever occurs first.
The Administration shall publish the verified total and reasons for its decision while protecting signatories’ private identifying information. An organizer or directly affected person may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction within 5 calendar days to challenge registration, rejection, verification, or failure to meet a deadline. The court shall hear the matter on an expedited basis and may correct the decision, require performance, or order qualification upon proof that the legal requirements are met. A challenge shall not suspend a qualified petition unless the court orders otherwise.
Section 16: Referendum Timetables
Within 5 calendar days after a petition is certified as qualified, a court orders its qualification, or a Parliamentary Referendum Resolution is adopted under Section 18, the Emperor shall issue a proclamation fixing the voting period. For an ordinary-law or constitutional referendum, voting shall open no earlier than 14 calendar days and close no later than 35 calendar days after that qualification or parliamentary adoption. For a citizen-initiated recall, voting shall open no earlier than 7 calendar days and close no later than 21 calendar days after qualification. Each voting period shall last at least 48 continuous hours. The complete proposal, neutral ballot wording, voting instructions, and applicable threshold shall be published at least 7 calendar days before voting opens.
If no proclamation is issued within 5 calendar days, the National Electoral Administration shall conduct a 48-hour vote ending on the last permitted day. A vote may be combined with another scheduled public vote within these limits. The proclamation shall fix the timetable. A qualified citizen petition shall require neither parliamentary approval, Chancellery approval, nor Imperial assent, and no such approval shall be required for its certified result to take effect. The Administration shall give effect to these deadlines unless a competent court orders otherwise. Citizen-initiated recalls shall remain subject to Sections 4 and 12.
Section 17: Counting and Certification of Referendums and Recalls
The National Electoral Administration shall count the votes and publish and certify the result within 3 calendar days after voting closes. Where a recount or audit is necessary to resolve a material discrepancy, it shall publish the reason within that period and complete certification within 7 calendar days after voting closes, unless a competent court orders otherwise. The certified result shall state the valid votes for and against, the applicable threshold, and whether the proposal passed. The legal effect of an approved measure or recall shall follow Sections 5 and 6.
Section 18: Direct Parliamentary Referendums
Either House may introduce a Parliamentary Referendum Resolution proposing a new law, a constitutional amendment, or an amendment or repeal of existing law for decision by public referendum. The resolution shall set out the complete proposed legislative text and identify its official title and the provisions to be enacted, amended, or repealed.
A Parliamentary Referendum Resolution shall be adopted by a simple majority of the valid votes cast in each House on the same text, subject to the House override procedure in Section 19. The resolution may be introduced before, during, or after parliamentary consideration of the proposal. A preceding bill, veto, or unsuccessful override shall not be required.
The resolution shall require neither the Chancellor’s approval nor Imperial assent. Upon adoption, the presiding officer of the House completing the referral shall transmit the adopted text and voting record directly to the Emperor and the National Electoral Administration. Adoption shall qualify the proposition for the timetable in Section 16 without a petition or collection of signatures.
Voting on the resolution, including reconsideration under Section 19, shall follow the digital voting period, voting-date record, and Capitol sitting rules in Article 12, Section 23. The date of parliamentary adoption shall be the actual date on which the final required vote closes.
The referendum shall be counted and certified under Section 17. Approval shall require the applicable threshold in Section 3, calculated under Section 7. The approved legislative text shall acquire legal effect under Section 5, subject to any later commencement date in the measure and any constitutional implementation period.
A measure governed by Article 15, Section 6 shall be submitted under that Section. Parliamentary recall referrals shall proceed under Section 9.
Section 19: House Override of a Referendum Referral
If a Parliamentary Referendum Resolution passes its originating House by a simple majority of the valid votes cast but fails to obtain a simple majority on the other House’s final vote, the originating House may reconsider the identical referral and proposed legislative text.
Upon approval on reconsideration by at least 2/3 of the valid votes cast in the originating House, the resolution shall be deemed adopted by Parliament and shall proceed under Section 18. The reconsideration shall be identified in the parliamentary record as a House Override of a Referendum Referral.
Article 21: Property Rights and Self-Defense
Section 1: Personal Property
Every citizen shall have the right to acquire, own, possess, use, and dispose of personal property in accordance with law. Personal property includes homes, land, household goods, personal effects, animals such as horses, tools, and other possessions held for personal or household use or for work performed by the owner. Property used as capital to profit from the labor of others or to collect rent is not personal property for the purposes of this Article.
Section 2: Self-Defense on Personal & Private Land
Self-defense on personal and private land, including the use of firearms, shall be governed by applicable subnational law, subject to superior law. If allowed, landlords have the right of self-defense on trespassers. This is only in effect if they are threatening you or harming you. You can not just harm someone for walking on your land.
Section 3: Right to Private Property and Labor Power
Persons and entities shall have the right to acquire, own, use, and dispose of private property, subject to the sovereign authority of the Emperor, the Imperial Orders, this Constitution, the Civil Code, and other applicable law, provided that its exercise does not conflict with Imperial interests or the interests of the Totemian Empire.
For the purposes of this Article, private property means property held as capital through which its holder derives income from the labor of others or collects rent. Classification shall depend on the holder's relationship to the means of production and the property's actual use, not its size, value, or designation. Property held for personal use or directly used in its owner's own labor remains personal property under Section 1.
Labor power means a person's physical and mental capacity to work and may be employed by others through voluntary paid labor in accordance with law, workers' rights, remuneration, and lawful working conditions. At particular historical stages of economic development, private property may contribute to the development of productive forces, the expansion of production, and the creation of social wealth. In light of prevailing material conditions and relations of production, the Totemian Empire shall encourage and guide lawful private economic development while retaining the authority to supervise and regulate such activity in the public and Imperial interests.
Article 22: Emergency Shelter and Essentials
Section 1: Emergency Shelter and Basic Essentials
In times of imminent wartime, famine, or catastrophe, all citizens, no matter what ethnicity, sexual orientation, et cetera, are entitled to a safe bunker with the basic essentials of life, for no extra cost.
Article 23: Organizational Restrictions on Forced or Slave Labor
Section 1: Formation and Registration of Organizations
The formation or registration of a commercial organization or other organization for the purpose of exploiting forced or slave labor is prohibited, regardless of its legal form or ownership structure.
Article 24: Regulation of Substances and Territorial Limits
Section 1: Subnational Regulation
The competent subnational governments of the Totemian Empire may regulate, permit, restrict, or prohibit the cultivation, production, possession, sale, distribution, and use of substances within their respective jurisdictions, subject to superior law. This authority includes Smokeleaf, Shrooms, alcoholic beverages, and other substances, whether now known or later developed, for recreational, medical, or other purposes.
Section 2: Protection of Lawful Conduct in Other Jurisdictions
No subnational government shall create or enforce criminal, civil, or administrative liability, penalties, or other sanctions for conduct involving those substances that occurs wholly within another jurisdiction and is lawful under the law of that jurisdiction and superior law. This prohibition includes authorizing private lawsuits or penalizing assistance to such lawful conduct. A person's residence, registration, or presence within the regulating jurisdiction shall not, by itself, permit punishment for that conduct elsewhere.
Section 3: Open Containers and Unsealed Packaging
No subnational government or locality, or authority acting under either, shall prohibit or penalize the personal possession or transport of alcoholic beverages or recreational or medicinal drugs solely because a container or package is open or unsealed, part of its contents has been removed, or the substance is not enclosed in sealed packaging. This rule applies in public places, on roads, and in vehicles.
Section 4: Imperial Supremacy and Enforcement
Any subnational or local law, order, judgment, or enforcement action contrary to this Article or superior law shall have no legal effect to the extent of the conflict. The Emperor or a court of competent jurisdiction may order the offending action to cease, impose monetary penalties on the responsible subnational government or locality, and suspend or restrict its regulatory or enforcement powers.
Article 25: Gender and Civil Marriage
Section 1: Legal Recognition of Gender
Every person shall be entitled to equal protection and civil legal recognition irrespective of actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Protection shall not depend upon inclusion in a fixed or exhaustive list of gender classifications or upon whether a person's gender corresponds to the sex recorded or attributed at birth.
Section 2: Civil Marriage
Every person possessing legal capacity to marry shall have the right to enter a civil marriage with another freely consenting person, subject to the applicable legal requirements concerning age, capacity, and any existing undissolved marriage.
Civil marriage shall be available on equal terms without exclusion or disadvantage on account of either person's actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Section 3: Equal Civil Standing of Spouses
Spouses shall possess equal civil standing and receive equal legal recognition, responsibilities, and protections. The Government shall provide for the recognition, registration, and dissolution of civil marriages. Administrative or procedural requirements shall not be used to defeat the rights secured by this Article.

[Under the Great Seal of the Totemian Empire]