[2602.HQ] Timing of Posting Campaign Topics in Elections

High Court
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Across two different ECs we have seen two different interpretations of the elections voting periods.
The Elections Act give the three voting periods as:

  • “A three-day declarations period, during which any eligible citizen wishing to run for [PM/Del] may declare their candidacy and begin campaigning, and the citizens will debate the merits of their platform.”
  • “A two-day campaign period, during which candidates may campaign, and the citizens will continue to debate the merits of their platforms.”
  • “A three-day voting period.”

Across multiple elections we have seen two different interpretations concerning when candidates need to declare they are running and when candidates need to post the campaign topic.

The first interpretation is candidates need to both declare they’re running and post their campaign within the first 3-day period (April 2026 PM, May 2026 PM). We’ve seen this with Kringle as EC

The second is candidates need to declare they’re running within the first 3-day period and then post their campaign topic within either the first 3-day period or the second 2-day period (Oct 2025 PM, Jan 2026 PM, Jan 2026 Del, April 2026 Del). We’ve seen this with Nwahs as EC.

I suspect the current election is supposed to be that of the first interpretation, but the date is very wrong.

Which is the correct interpretation?

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High Court of the South Pacific

This is a case before the High Court of the South Pacific, considered under the following identifying information:

Docket Number
2602.HQ

Reference Name
Timing of Posting Campaign Topics in Elections

Request
Are candidates required to post their campaigns in the combined declaration and campaign stage of the election or by the end of the campaign only stage of the election?

Submission: 19 July 2026

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High Court of the South Pacific

[2602.HQ] Timing of Posting Campaign Topics in Elections

Pursuant to my authority as Chief Justice, I hereby assign this case to myself and shall preside over the proceedings henceforth.

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High Court of the South Pacific

[2602.HQ] Timing of Posting Campaign Topics in Elections

Whereas this Court has been asked to exercise the judicial power vested in it by the Charter of the South Pacific, it is resolved that:

  1. This case is justiciable.
  2. Petitioner and interested parties are invited to present arguments on this case no later than 2026-07-28T22:00:00Z.

Submission: 19 Jul 2026 | Determination: 21 Jul 2026