Written by: Zheng Wei Bin Hassar, Chief Correspondent
Translated by: Katya Cho, Junior Translator


With the election for the Eastern Governor underway, the East has seen its first hand of the election process. After The Peony's allowance of an Eastern Government, the entire infrastructure of the East has been marred with problems of independence. The transitional governor has drafted emergency procedures and ensured a direct procedure is applied, however, there is still room for improvement.

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Now with the elections underway, the statesmen of the East decides the best path for the Eastern Region. With over 80% of its industry in agriculture and fishing, the Eastern region houses the lowest amount of the Peonic population with some of the lowest incomes in the South Pacific. Despite the separation of the regions by the preceding Peony Akane Yan, representation of the East in the Royal Council and the People's Council is low.

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Over four candidates for the Governor has been highlighted and requirements met. Currently, the race is led by Kimcheon Mayor Wa'ali Chhiong, being the only conservative in the race. Highlighting the need for quality in the public service as well as revitalizing the infrastructure of the region. This is due to the transition putting the basic public service in a standstill, followed by abysmal response times.

While Mayor Wa'ali Chhiong and his coalition was a favourite for conservative voters in the Eastern region, a strong note was made. Unlike other candidates, Mayor Chhiong did not push for higher representation in the People's Council and the Royal Council, an issue that has plagued the balance of government for quite some time. As such, the other liberal candidates have highlighted the issue of representation as to their main focus, albeit with different approaches.


The favourite liberal candidate and runner up to mayor Chhiong is Air Marshall 3rd Class Nan Soo-Jung, born in Kwai, she highlighted the importance of the East playing a role in decision making for the country. Noting that housing one of the largest refineries in the region, as well as the main ports of Huawan, security is to be increased. Pushing sponsorship and improved military and police forces in the East, as well as higher minimum wages. With several terrorist attacks springing up in the South Pacific, lacklustre protection of the population has urged further security measures and funding.

Being the youngest candidate for governor, Marshall Soo-Jung and her coalition, the Eastern Light, commands the younger vote in the East. With a majority of the votes coming from the Shi Di and Shan province. She also announces large support for the superhighway in Shan and the construction of a second tunnel as well as an underground tunnel to the Island region. Opposition to higher expenditures in the military and the transport projects, which grew in popularity in the Eastern Chamber of The People's council, has been one of the largest challenges of her candidacy.


I Tang Po, one of the Royal Councillors for Hokkien, also announced his candidacy as Eastern Governor. Also pushing for higher representation, he marks that one of the largest issues of abysmal representation of the Eastern Region is due to a lack of trained members in power, as well as disinterest in the East to have councillors. As such, his candidacy promises further improvements for selection of governmental staff, as well as proposing that the Eastern Chamber of the People's Council be built in the East instead of adjoined in Central.

Councillor Po also pushes for higher autonomy in the East and promises to curb government expenditure and increasing the minimum wage, labour cost and transparency in government. While his anti-establishment reforms have gained a significant following in his Ox Coalition, with support from other Eastern Royal Councillors, a large opposition criticises the lack of a clear process to achieve his anti-establishment promises.


Following behind, but last is Mayor Đào Thanh Trang, mayor of Hai Lan, the most populated city of the Eastern Region. She pushes for further representation and notes that Hai Lan becomes the centre point of governance in the East, completely revitalizing the administration structure in the Eastern region. She also expresses the importance of increasing port authority in the East and inviting investment opportunities to revitalize the industry.

Along with the Katana Coalition, her candidacy has been defensive and shown to be in a strong foundation. However, despite her popular background in Hai Lan, she is seen to be unrelatable to the other provinces of the region. Moreover, she only has two years left from her term as mayor in Hai Lan, and the opposition questioned her preparedness to take office.

As the elections of the East are underway, the Royal Palace and the Royal Council observes the proceeding with great interest. The Peony has also prohibited any endorsements from governmental staff and those in power, she also warns the Royal election oversight committee to ensure that the Eastern elections are fair and impartial. The Peony also says that any transgression or penalty must be "held in swift and harsh scrutiny under Peonic law".

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In other news, Transitional Eastern Governor Kyung-Soo Han announces that she would not join the race to become the Eastern Governor, despite having a large backing by the eastern population for her merits as Head Administrator in the prior year. While it is currently unknown for the reasons for her decision, several sources say that she is next in line for Maritime Chancellor for the Peocracy under appointment by the High Commodore, Lord Zheng He.