Twelve Colonies of Kobol

Empire
The government of the Twelve Colonies, established by the Articles of Colonization, is a federal republic established by the twelve formerly independent worlds of the Cyrannus Sector during the early days of the devastating Cylon War. The Colonial Fleet protecting the colonial worlds

Before the Cylon War, the Twelve Colonies functioned as autonomous states independent of their sister Colonies. Each planet had its own localized government, civil services, and armed forces:


 * Grand Kingdom of Virgon


 * Federal Republic of Tauron


 * Consortium of Scorpia


 * Union of Free Sagittaron


 * United Republics of Picon


 * Unaffliated Cities of Libran


 * United States of Leonis


 * Gemenese Holy Order


 * United Nations of Caprica


 * Federation of Canceron States


 * Independent States of Aquaria


 * Republic of Aerilon

Executive Branch
The President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol is directly elected by the population and is assisted by a cabinet, consisting of the heads of the various government departments. The Vice President is elected by the Quorum of Twelve, as best to aide the President.

Legislative Branch
The Colonial legislature is bicameral. The upper house is the Quorum of Twelve, with each colony represented by a single delegate, each with one vote. When the vice presidency becomes vacant, the Quorum is responsible for both the nomination and confirmation of the successor to that office. The president of the Colonies is also the presiding officer of the Quorum, with the authority to break tie votes. Ceremonial dress for Quorum members includes a sash representing their colony.

The lower house is apparently larger, and may be elected on a proportional basis. This may be the body which is referred to as the People's Council. The government maintains a separate judiciary and recognizes an unelected religious body in an advisory capacity.

Plurality of office between any of the branches of government is forbidden, an individual representative of the Quorom must resign and be replaced if they are elected to the vice presidency.

Ex Officio Advisers
The peoples of the Twelve Colonies appear to have a single religion based on worship of the Lords of Kobol. As such, a religious homogeneity exists that makes a 'separation of church and state' unnecessary in the strictest sense. Government officials appear to be able to choose to consult religious leaders to support decisions or gather advice and consensus.