Rules of the Majestic Song Contest

Qualifiers
In each edition of the song contest countries will be placed into semi final rounds in which they will compete to qualify for the final. The number of qualifiers will depend on the number of participating countries in the edition, but also how many countries are assigned and participating in each semi final. Each edition will have an estimate of 25 to 30 nations in the final.

Automatic Qualifiers
In addition to the countries that have qualified through the semi final round; automatic qualifiers are also in the final based on the result they received in the previous edition. The winning country, as well as the countries that placed 2nd to 6th are invited to automatically qualify. If one of these nations withdraw from the contest or refuse an automatic qualification position then the automatic qualifier spot will be awarded to the country that placed 7th. This process will continue until a country accepts the invitation to be an automatic qualifier.

How Many Shows?
Each edition of the contest consists of multiple shows/events. These are the semi finals and the grand final. A minimum of two semi finals will take place each edition, with the grand final being the last show of the edition. The number of countries assigned to semi finals is not officially confirmed as it discussed and agreed on by the management team each edition dependent on the number of countries participating in the edition.

Maximum Entries
There is no official ruling on the number of maximum entries per edition as each edition is discussed in depth by the management team. If they believe they have reached a maximum limit of entries/countries in the edition they will close the entry collection process. The management team aim to cap each edition at 70 countries, but each edition may change dependent on the situation or nature of events from the entry collection.

Country Changes
When an individual makes a country for the contest we aim to make it representational of real life. In real life; countries rarely change their name or flag. To replicate this a country is only allowed to change country once. This rule came into affect during 2021 meaning some individuals already changed their country multiple times.

Deadlines
- Entry submissions for a new edition will open a minimum of 24 hours following the final results from the edition prior. This is to ensure the winning nation has a certain amount of time to celebrate their victory before the planning process for the new edition begins. - Entries can not be reserved for future editions and must be sent for the edition currently occurring.

Entry Requirements
A maximum of one song per each country will be accepted unless announced differently by members of the management team. Each entry taking part must abide by the rules listed below. - Songs that competed in any franchise of Eurovision is not able to take part. (Eurovision Song Contest, American Song Contest or Junior Eurovision Song Contest). - Any song intended on competing in a Eurovision franchise is not able to participate. (If a song won a national final, withdrew from the contest or didn't take part on stage after being announced) - The song can be in any language. - Instrumental songs can participate. - An artist can not be sent twice or more times in the same edition. - The song can be from any year. - The song cannot contain any hate speech. - A song cannot take part more than once; even if sung by another artist. - Remix's and Nightcore songs can take part as-long as they have not been sent in any other way. - If an entry is disqualified due to the individual not voting; the song will be eligible to be sent again after 3 editions. - The songs most viewed video must have less than 100-million views on YouTube. If a song is accepted but passes 100-million after being selected it is still eligible to participate. - The artist must not be on the block-list (See below section). - Songs that participated in national final selections for any Eurovision franchise are not able to participate. If your entry does not fit in line with all of the rules listed you will be asked to change your entry. If the edition has already begun, then your entry will be disqualified.

Artist Block-List
The artist block-list is an idea that was implemented to stop the overuse of artists. - An artist is able to participate in 3 editions before they will be placed on the block-list. - The artist must be sent as the same name before being added. For example if a band takes part 3 times and is placed on the list, an individual member can then be sent as a solo artist or as part of another group. - Each artist will be on the list for 6 editions. Once the 6 editions has finished they are able to be sent 3 times again.

National Finals
Every nation is welcome to hold a national final to help select their entry. These national finals must be hosted by that country. Voting by members is encouraged however, not mandatory. - The entries must all follow the rules of actual entries. - A maximum of 5 entries can take part in the whole selection. - If a song has competed in a national final and lost; it can be sent by another country in the same edition.

Sideline Contests
Spin-off contests, referred to as Sideline Contests are planned by the management team. The management team will release a yearly calendar that will outline all the sideline contests that will be occurring within that year. Each of the sideline contests that feature voting will follow the same voting strike system as the main song contest. Participation within the sideline contest is not mandatory if you compete in the song contest. Additionally, you do not have to participate in the song contest to take part in the sideline contests but do need to have a flag and country name.

Themed Edition
During the planning process of the contest the management team agreed that every 5th edition of the Majestic Song Contest would be a themed edition. To decide the theme the members of the contest can submit ideas which will then be voted on with the idea receiving the most votes being selected.

Voting
In each edition (whether song or sideline) that requires voting all participating countries are expected to vote. If failing to do so strikes/penalties will be issued (see below). However, if an individual is unable to vote and provides a good enough reason as to why they can't a strike will not be issued. Additionally, if enough time is provided a stand in voter can be issued to vote on behalf of your country. Votes must not be discussed at any times before the reveal of the official results presentation. If it is found to have happened, strikes will be issued in the same format of the Failure to Vote system, or a more severe sanction will be issued depending on the severity. Votes must only be discussed between the individual providing the votes, and the voting manager/vote collector. Votes may be discussed between the management team if it suspected that bloc voting is occurring; discussions will not occur in any other situation. In each edition, the winner will be the country with the highest amount of points. In the case of a draw in any instance then the country with the most 12 points will be announced as the higher position. If the countries have the same number of 12 points than the nation that received the highest number of 10 points will be announced higher. This will follow the same system until the whole voting format has been analysed. When voting each country must send their top 13. This is the 10 countries receiving points and the 3 reserve countries unless specified differently.

Back-Up Voting
If an individual is unable to vote and provide a valid reason they are eligible to receive a back-up voter. A back-up voter is an individual that votes on behalf of that nation. Back-up voters are secured each edition but may not be needed. If this occurs they will be totaled up and counted as the "Rest of the World Jury".

Failure to Vote
The first time you fail to vote, you receive your first strike. If you fail to vote again, you will receive your second strike. A third failure to vote receives the third strike. Strike 1 - They will no longer be a participant in that edition but will return the next edition. Strike 2 - They will be removed from the edition and made to miss the next edition. Strike 3 - They will be removed from the edition and made to miss the next five editions. Individuals can work off a strike if they vote perfectly for 3 editions.

Behavior
Within the Majestic Song Contest we aim to ensure that everybody in the community feels welcome and hopefully; everyone has fun. Any behavior which is an intentional attack on or towards another must be brought to the attention of any member of the management team where appropriate action will be taken. If anyone believes they are being treated unfairly for any reason (personally, music taste, or any other reason) will have support and the issue will be discussed within management to see how it can be resolved. Additionally, if you witness this behavior occur please raise these issues to a member of the management team. These concerns should be raised even if the individual treating individuals unfairly or wrong is in management. Behaviour strikes will be issued and they will follow the failure to vote principle of; if the individual receives three then they will be permanently banned from the contest. All members within the contest must speak for themselves and not expect someone to speak on their behalf. If any mistake occurs with the planning of the contest, results, wikipedia editing or any work conducted by the management or wiki team then these issues must be raised in a respectful manner. Mistakes can happen. All individuals that complete national finals in external groups must uphold the behavior rules in place for this contest. Every member is able to, and encouraged to voice their opinions; however must do so in a respectful way.

Group Chats
The group chat dedicated to the contest has an age rule where each member must be over the age of 15. No sexaulised behavior can occur. The group chat is not allowed to be used to promote political ideologies, thoughts or opinions. No bullying, hate speech or discrimination is allowed. Discussion of points, or preferences towards entries are to occur during the voting periods.

Song Contest
The winner of the previous edition of the contest will be invited to be the host nation. This means they must provide management with the necessary hosting information such as the presenting team, the arena, the city, the interval and opening acts, the motto and an idea they would like for the logo. In each edition the host nation is allowed and encouraged to have a mascot, however this is not mandatory. If an individual has won the edition before but do not want to host they can decline the offer to host. If this occurs they will still be granted an automatic qualifier position if they are participating. Only one nation can host each edition.

Sideline Contest
When possible the winner of the previous edition of that specific sideline will be invited to be the host nation. This meaning they must provide management with the hosting information needed for that specific sideline contest. However, due to a sideline happening once a year if the nation that won has since withdrew the hosting rights will be selected as random. Hosting of sidelines can be shared between multiple nations, depending on which sideline is being hosted.

Failure to Provide Information
If an individual fails to provide the hosting information within the allocated time slot required, the hosting rights will automatically fall to the 2nd place nation. This process will continue until a nation has been able to send all the correct information in the time frame set out.

Management Specific
Management operate on a system called the "three times asked, strike system". This meaning if they are asked to complete an aspect of their role three times but fail to do so then they may receive a management strike.

Strikes
Reason for being given a strike are: 1) Not completing your specific role within a specified time schedule. 2) Not voting in the monthly management meeting (either during the meeting or by giving their vote to the meeting holder prior to the meeting). 3) Not upholding the behavior that a manager should have. If a member of the management team receive three strikes, they will be removed from the management team however are still able to participate within the contest.

Roles
Each member of the management team will complete all duties relevant to their specific role. Additionally, all members of management must complete general duties, which include ensuring all members of Majestic follow the general rules, procedures and ethical standards of honesty, respect and compassion to each other.