Government and Politics

 

Senate

 

Until 0 PS Saltha was an often tyrannical monarchy. After the revolution and overthrowing of king Kakal I, a parliamentary democracy as put in place.  The event was so major, they changed the way years are kept track to commemorate it.

Each city has 20 senators who are elected every five years. Each senate has two presiding elected executives, a male and a female. A case can be appealed to the middle senate, which consists of the senators of the religion. The quorum is two thirds of the number of all the senators representing the cities in that region, depending on how many cities there are in that region.

A further appeal may be made before the upper senate, which consists of all the senators in all four regions totaling 200 senators in all. A quorum for a decision by the upper senate must be made of one hundred and thirty four senators, and there must be present at least five senators from each town, meaning no less than one quarter of the senators representing each region.

Regions

 

Branches of government

 

Each branch of government is allowed a small armed force to protect important places or people as needed. The maximum size of the force each branch has is regulated, 

 85%

Political "hot topics"

 

Currently the topics being mostly debated are Slavery, foreign policy with humans and adapting human technologies and customs.

Political Parties

 

 Full listing of political parties 

Crime and punishment

 

Saltha have very few jails, used only for holding prisoners before trials. Saltha has never used jail time as a punishment.

A criminal brought before a criminal trial is assumed innocent until proven guilty. The 80 senators oversee criminal trials and must have a unanimous verdict to convict or acquit. The accused may appeal only once if a guilty result is given to a higher court of 280 senators (Including the 80 from the first trial). After a guilty result is confirmed (No appeal, or appeal fails) the local court then must unanimously decide on a penalty from the possible penalties listed below.

Note that there is no differ nation between males and females in these punishments except for minor variation in severity.

Punishments

 

Public Switching (Minors)

Prisoner's hands are bound to a T-shaped beam above their head and struck against their exposed backside no less than 3 lashes with a long switch. Used for children who have no legal guardians (Street urchins), or if is a child runaway slave of the state, or where someone else was harmed. May be used for children who have parrents but commit a simular or same crime again in a short period of time. For repeat offenders may be struck on their bare backsides with a leather strap instead.

This punishment is for children who commit pick pocketing, run away slaves (5 lashes min.) and Armed robbery/ Minor Assault (10 lashes minimum)

Slavery

The prisoner is sold off as a slave. The proceeds go as reparations to the prisoner's victims, or to whom they owe debt. Sometimes a debtor’s child is sold as slave to pay his or her father's debt. There are very strict laws as to how a slave may be treated (Especially children)

This punishment is generally for theft, Burglary, armed robbery and unpaid Debt. 

The prisoner is bound as with flogging for minors, but is struck 10-20 lashes across the bare back with a whip. Adults who are punished this way are also usually branded on their hand a letter.

Serious Assault (10 lashes minimum) Kidnapping (15 Lashes Minimum), Runaway slaves (10 lashes minimum), Manslaughter (10 lashes minimum)

The prisoner has his or her head cut off by a sword. This punishment is reserved for murder, Rape and Treason (Including attempting murdering).

References

[1] Salthan Constitution, 0 NG.

[2] (Author unknown), "Manifesto of Kings"

[3] (Autor unknown "The 6000 years: A history of the kings of Saltha"