constituteproject.org PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:13 Its national holiday is set on December 1st, date on which the Republic was proclaimed. Its currency is defined by law. The State’s seals and the Republic’s coats of arms are defined by law. Article 20 The Republic’s guiding principle is “THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE”. • Referenda National sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through referendum or through their representatives. No fraction of the people nor any individual can seize its exercise or alienate it. Usurpation of sovereignty by coup d’état or through any other means constitutes an imprescriptible crime against the Central African people. Any individual or third person who carries out such acts shall be considered as having declared war on the Central African people. • Restrictions on voting All Central Africans of both (2) sexes, aged eighteen (18) years old or more who enjoy their civil rights, are voters within the conditions prescribed by law. Every citizen has the right to vote. • Secret ballot • Claim of universal suffrage • Restrictions on political parties Suffrage can be direct or indirect within the conditions prescribed by law. It is always universal, equal and secret. Article 21 Political parties or groups contribute to the expression of universal suffrage, to the political, economic and social life, to the monitoring of their elected members and to the shaping of their members’ citizenship. It is forbidden for them to identify with a race, ethnic group, sex, religion, sect, language, region or armed group. They are formed and exercise their activities freely. They are under the obligation to respect the principle of democracy, of unity and of national sovereignty, of Human Rights, of secularity and of the republican system of the State, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force. The conditions of their formation, functioning, financing and dissolution are determined by the texts in force. Title III: Of the Executive Power • Name/structure of executive(s) Article 22 The executive power is composed of the Head of State of the Transition and of the Prime Minister, Head of Government of the Transition. Central African Republic 2013 Page 8