# Delegate Code of Conduct

### Principles for Delegates

1. **Act in good faith** — vote with the best interests of Aquarius and its community in mind.
2. **Be transparent** — disclose affiliations, conflicts of interest, and reasoning behind major votes.
3. **Stay accountable** — maintain active participation; if inactive, step aside or inform delegators.
4. **Respect the process** — follow governance rules, deadlines, and treat all members fairly.
5. **Protect integrity** — avoid manipulation, misinformation, or self-dealing that undermines trust.

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### Community Standards

* Maintain respectful behavior in the Aquarius Discord and other official channels.
* No harassment, hate speech, or toxic behavior.
* Participate constructively in governance and community discussions.

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### Prohibited Behavior

1. **Sybil activity** — running duplicate/fake delegates.
2. **Improper incentives** — offering payments or coercion to attract delegations.
3. **Misrepresentation** — providing false info in delegate profile (identity, history, affiliated projects).
4. **Malicious actions** — manipulative voting or other activity that could harm protocol security.
5. **Community misconduct** — harassment, hate speech, or other harmful actions on Discord or other official channels.

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### Reporting Violations

Community members may report suspected violations of the Code of Conduct through the **Aquarius Discord** or other official communication channels. Reports should include any evidence available (such as screenshots or transaction links) so the Aquarius team can investigate fairly.

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### Enforcement and Removal

* Delegates who violate the Code of Conduct may be **removed from the whitelist** and lose eligibility for the **Reward Program for Delegates**.
* The Aquarius team reviews violations during regular delegate review cycles.
* Delegates subject to removal will be informed of the decision and given the chance to **dispute or clarify** before final removal.
* Final decisions are made by the Aquarius team to protect the protocol and community.
