Constitution amended to include section on interim government

On 13th June, the House formally asked the AUEC to call for fresh elections as it unanimously voted to dissolve the 7th HoR. In order to facilitate Student Government activities until the next House is announced, it also amended the Constitution by adding new clauses. These clauses are based heavily on a proposal the AUEC shared which allows the House to transition to an interim government. 

The newly added Article 5, Section 14 of the Constitution defines the roles and responsibilities of an Interim Government. In its form, an interim government is the same as the SG prior to the House’s dissolution. The primary task of an interim government is to carry forth logistical tasks “as defined and understood by the House.” They may, however, take up any other matter that they deem necessary. 

The section also allows the interim government to readjust voting thresholds based on the number of representatives still in office. Currently, the interim government has ten representatives, thus a proposal would need six votes for a simple majority and seven votes for a special majority. 

Abhay Hari, Chief Election Officer, says that the five vacant seats in the dissolved House will not be filled until fresh elections are held. He added that the position of the President and the LO will also remain dissolved until then. 

The new section lists down four scenarios in which an interim government may be formed. The first concerns the House’s inability to elect a President within 48 hours of removal or resignation, or when two or more seats remain vacant. The second is when the House dissolves before its term officially ends. The third is when the House’s term ends but the new House is not yet announced. The final scenario is when the AUEC recommends the creation of an interim government.