Republic Election Results Announced
Veritas News Inc. -- Rehemsa, Corellian sector
In the past few hours, sources in the New Republic have confirmed that the recent run-off between Chief of State candidates Tengri Lethas and Ro Ru Wok has been decided by voters, with Ru Wok - who was already carrying out the role in a temporary capacity - emerging victorious. The wookiee, who previously served as High Admiral of the Republic's Navy, is expected to publish a press release announcing his assumption of office (which will last only a few months, filling out the rest of his predecessor's term) over the next several days. Despite the superficial success of the election, suspicions and conspiracy theories of fraud are already running amok on the holonet and the Republic itself.
The run-off was triggered after no single candidate managed to gain more than 50% of the Republic's vote, resulting in the two highest placing candidates, Ru Wok and Lethas, competing directly in a further seven days of voting. The election, started by the resignation of ex-leader Kara Dumonte, has been lauded as one of the most open and ideologically diverse in recent years with six candidates running in total. Most of the variation in ideas came from Lethas (eventual runner-up) who advocated the dissolution of the Senate and the return of the Rebel Alliance, a move welcomed by many within the Republic but met with strong opposition by others who claimed the policies suggested by Lethas amounted to a violation of the Republic's principles and even treason. In comparison, Ro Ru Wok's ideas were more moderate, though not conservative, aiming to implement restructures and reduce the term of the Chief of State to six months.
 
Ru Wok and Lethas, with their two drastically different campaigns, both
made it into the run-offs after placing the two highest amounts of votes
Ultimately it was these radical proposals which proved to be Lethas' downfall, as many analysts suggest Ru Wok's run-off victory was made possible by votes pulled from the supporters of eliminated candidates, despite Lethas garnering the largest proportion of the vote in the first round of the election. Nevertheless, the vote spawned unprecedented levels of debate and interest in the Republic's citizens, establishing a clear line of division between those who support Lethas' policies and those who oppose them. Already conflict has surfaced between these two sides, with insiders claiming the election was invalid considering Ru Wok's convenient position as Acting Chief of State - a position which meant he was overseeing the fairness of an election he himself was running in. Suspicions of foul play have been exacerbated by the fact that a strong supporter and member of the Senate, Dan Russ, administrates the digital holosite votes were counted on.
Complaints have also been made about what Lethas supporters see as a concerted smear campaign against his candidacy which saw many opponents of his policies claim what Lethas planned was illegal and disgraceful, a polarization which some claim was designed to emotionally influence voters. One source told Veritas News: Much has been made about the plan to dissolve the Senate and return to the days of the Rebel Alliance, but was only part of Tengri's campaign. He also wanted to implement needed restructures, strengthen our role in the Galactic Alliance and raise salaries for our hardworking members. It's just a shame some people weren't more open-minded about his ideas.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the run-off, outlandish conspiracy theories have swept the holonet with one of the stranger ones making claims about Edmond Zaccone's candidacy. It speculates that Zaccone, who gathered a mere two votes in the first round of voting, was actually a frontrunner for the election and was cheated of the leadership in a dastardly case of fraud organised by the Republic's upper echelons. The theory has been driven by the fact that Zaccone has not been seen in public since the loss, leading some to believe he is either dead or was actually an agent of the Krath Dynasty. Free Zaccone , as the conspiracy has been dubbed, has gained such publicity that even Lord Seele of the Galactic Empire was willing to comment on the issue for Veritas:
Looking at Mr Zaccone's entire election platform and comments, it's very easy to see he aimed to sew dissent and besmirch other candidates as much as possible. This is the natural death of a republic when the power-hungry politicians take root; but what vindicates the New Order the most is the idea that Mr Zaccone is simply yet another puppet of the Krath Dynasty. How far are these despots going when they're trying to subvert their own ally's elections?
Whatever you believe about the election, it's clear to see that it has been an eventful and potentially historic flashpoint for the New Republic and its politicians.
TO THE PUBLIC
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