A1 general election, March 2010

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March 2010 A1 General Election
< August 2009A1 ElectionsMarch 2011 >
Chairmanship of the executive government of A1
March 2010
Political Party A1 People's Party Democratic Socialist Party United A1 Party Communist Party
Chairman Candidate Rob Gribbon Timothy Sharkbait Tomas Caulfield Viktor Kirponos
Popular Vote (%) 46% 13% 38% 4%

NOTE: Figures may not add due to rounding

Following the People's Congress's decision in December 2009 to change the voting period from 3–4 years to one, and the bringing forward of the election date from August to March by Chairman Rob Gribbon in declaring a State of Emergency in early March, the next general elections were held in March 2010.

Background

Since registrations opened for applications to run in the elections on 1st January 2010, four political parties registered. However, it was anticipated by the A1 Electoral Commission that more 'fringe' parties will be established, and this was to some extent proven correct, with the late registration of the A1 Communist Party.

They were also due to be the first elections to be held using an online voting system in A1's history. This was used in conjunction with 'in person' voting, so as to ensure that every A1 citizen has the opportunity to take part in voting.

Following the Gribbon-Caulfield tensions of February/early March 2010, Chairman Gribbon declared a State of Emergency and brought the elections forward from August, upon recommendation of the A1 Electoral Commission.

Campaigns

A1 People's Party

On the first day of campaigning, Rob Gribbon, the incumbent Chairman, promised administrative reform “…to streamline political processes and make the government more accountable to our citizens”, including the amalgamation of ministries and the admittance of Protectorate leaders into the Central Committee.

Further into the campaign, he also challenged Tomas Caulfield to a debate, to be video taped and released to the public.

United A1 Party

The UA1P released its foreign affairs policy, promising a more "decisive" policy, with more involvement in macronational affairs and less "mucking around" in micronational affairs.

It also promised administrative reform, but much more drastic and far-reaching than the Gribbon plan, with drastic reform on all levels of government.

Communist Party

Viktor Kirponos backed Rob Gribbon's challenge to Caulfield for a debate, saying that it would help to "...tear apart this vile traitor who has betrayed A1."

Democratic Socialist Party

Timothy Sharkbait and his party have been largely silent on this election campaign. However, a statement was released on 8th March condemning the "wrangling" between Caulfield and Gribbon, and promised that "If elected, none of this ridicolous [sic] argument [sic] would take place."

Result

The initial result was a victory for the United A1 Party. However, the actual result of the election, as discovered by the A1CSS investigation (see below), was a second election victory for the incumbent A1 People's Party and Rob Gribbon.

Election rigging

Following accusations from Rob Gribbon and a subsequent investigation by the A1 Civil Security Service, Tomas Caulfield and the United A1 Party were found to have bribed the Director of the A1EC, Joseph Brown, to rig the election so as for Caulfield to win. The initial tampered results had Rob Gribbon at 38% of the vote and Tomas Caulfield at 46% of the vote.

Following this, A1 People's Party Chairman, Janice Domone, ordered the arrest of Tomas Caulfield, Alexei Borja and Joseph Brown, on numerous charges, but Caulfield and Borja fled A1 on March 19 and set up the 'Federal State of A1'. Joseph Brown was arrested with his trial being held on the 20th April at the High Court of A1, resulting in him being found guilty on all charges.