Chancellor Zoey Liu, incumbent and the first Asian to hold the office, has maintained her elegant stature among Millania's leadership as she has secured the entire voting population with eight percent reporting. Her lead makes her the first ever candidate to achieve 100% of the voting base when CEdM reports an election update, which they indeed posted a few moments ago.
This comes in a series of historic firsts, including the first election following the death of Nicholas "Nick Randouler" Cordrey, leading figure of Millania's right wing, which has cost the Conservatives and National Congress dearly. Additionally, this is the first televised election, with Millanians across the globe being able to view election results live with video results for the first time.
In contrast, the Herald continues its biannual tradition of explaining the upcoming election to the onlooking world as Millania enters its routine activity spree and festive season with a fresh government.
We begin with the Liberals, the clear favourite to win the elections. Zoey Liu, current Chancellor, continues to dominate national politics as her active bloc pushed this term for the consolidation of basic law, revising the Common Law Declaration and passing legislation guaranteeing freedom of information and ensuring security from another secession crisis. Together with her more experienced counterpart, Austin Jaax, she is expected to win by such a margin that an old election rule may come into play — wherein the winning party chooses among losing candidates to fill their seat because they have too few candidates to fill it themselves.
The most popular third party, the Marketists, are also expected to maintain their foothold in politics, its leader, Lord Chamberlain H.R.H. Nicolás Millán, having served five terms in office. They are expected to continue their ever popular economic policy, in an attempt to vitalise business in Millania's Orient.
Millán's ally, independent Exchancellor Thomas Andersson, is also to contend for a seat and the chancellorship. He is known for his agenda of maintaining the checks and balances of the National Government over the Realms and maintaining military strength.
The Charlotte Baxter-Bray Party is also expected to squeeze by with a single seat for its leader of the same name, who is also running for chancellor. The environmentalist party is responsible for the foundation of Millania's natural services, and has played a vital role in maintaining the Liberal majority.
Finally, the Paisa Bloc, Millania's Colombian regionalist party, is vying for a seat against the right wing. The Bloc has worked with the major parties to pass legislation, and has a renewed agenda that prioritises Millania's culture.
On the right, the Conservatives are running with two candidates on the ticket, Thomas O'Reilly, who is running for chancellor as well, and newcomer Matthew Gilbert. Ever since a scandal which rocked the allied Abeldane Empire to its core sent ripples to Millania, its orchestrator, former party leader Stephen Freayth, renounced his citizenship over fear of another scandal arising in Millania. His departure, in compound with the unfortunate passing of political behemoth Nicholas Cordrey, caused one of the greatest challenges of the Conservatives, where they will struggle to find room in Parliament for a seat. Their chancellorship candidate, Thomas O'Reilly, hopes to build on existing legislation to shift Millania to a more conservative political stance, and grant more autonomy to its administrative units.
El Correcto's (the opposition's) only hope is in the success of Jack Satterfield and the National Congress. An early boost to his numbers may gain him and his allies much needed votes. His platform involves improving the nation's economy and foreign prowess.
Millania will continue to vote throughout the week until 1 December, its day of foundation, when the results of the referenda on various contentious issues such as the 'Plan Dorado,' an effort to rename and 'rebrand' the nation, and the recognition of both Taiwan and Palestine will also be announced.
This election has much at stake, with a changing demographic of students with less and less time for politics. The election's victor will have to come up with novel ways to bump up activity numbers while not sacrificing either the precious time of Millania's citizenry or the effectiveness of the government. Low turnout rates will complicate the elections with a much rougher idea of what could happen for the nation's third parties. The nation had allowed more new global e-immigrants following the institution of new immigration rules, and the need for a new push for Pasabrillo-based immigrants has become evident as turnout among that base is expected to drop sharply.
Whoever is the new Chancellor is in for a great ordeal, wherein the very identity of the nation will be tried and tested over the next term. Bold steps have been taken, and even bolder ones will be required to ensure that it all runs smoothly.
A long road lies ahead, and it is the ardent duty of the common man to dictate where we will pave it.