Given there has been no further comment on the issue of close proximity between countries, I am going to proceed with the modified version of section 10.4. Please see below for the full updated proposal, with the original proposal for comparative purposes. I have updated my original post too.
ORIGINAL PROPOSED UPDATE
Section 10 - Second Accounts
1. Under certain conditions, players are permitted to operate a second account. Permission to operate a second account is a privilege that requires a significant degree of trust. Players must ensure they understand the second account system before requesting permission. Attempts to abuse the system represent a serious breach of trust.
2. To qualify for permission to operate a second account, players must have a forum account that is at least thirty days old, and a good record in terms of respecting the Game Rules.
3. Players who wish to operate a second account should post a request in the Second Accounts thread. The request should include a link to their current account and a link to the proposed second account. Prior to making a request, players are permitted to create a second account in a different country but they must immediately inactivate it. The same email address must be used for both accounts.
4. Players are not permitted to operate second accounts in the same country as their primary account. As a general rule, players should not create second accounts in countries that have a close historical or political connection to the country of their primary account. Players should keep role-play with their second accounts separate from role-play with their primary accounts at all times.
5. When making a decision on second account requests, Moderation will consider the quality of the role-play a player has produced in the period before the request was made. Consideration will also be given to a player’s ability to demonstrate they are committed to role-playing in the country where they are applying for a second account.
6. If a second account request is approved, the two accounts will be added to the Second Accounts Register and the proposed second account will be reactivated.
7. If either of a player's accounts are inactivated, the player will be given a twenty-four hour period to request reactivation. After this, their permission to operate a second account will be withdrawn and their name will be removed from the register.
NEW PROPOSED UPDATE
Section 10 - Second Accounts
1. Under certain conditions, players are permitted to operate a second account. Permission to operate a second account is a privilege that requires a significant degree of trust. Players must ensure they understand the second account system before requesting permission. Attempts to abuse the system represent a serious breach of trust.
2. To qualify for permission to operate a second account, players must have a forum account that is at least thirty days old.
3. Players who wish to operate a second account should post a request in the Second Accounts thread. The request should include a link to their current account and a link to the proposed second account. Prior to making a request, players are permitted to create a second account in a different country but they must immediately inactivate it. The same email address must be used for both accounts.
4. Players are not permitted to operate two accounts in the same country and are expected to keep role-play with their two accounts separate at all times. As a result, players are not permitted to operate two accounts in neighbouring countries, or in two countries with a close historical or political connection.
5. When making a decision on second account requests, Moderation will consider the quality of the role-play a player has produced in the period before the request was made. Consideration will also be given to a player’s ability to demonstrate they are committed to role-playing in the country where they are applying for a second account.
6. If a second account request is approved, the two accounts will be added to the Second Accounts Register and the proposed second account will be reactivated.
7. If either of a player's accounts are inactivated, the player will be given a twenty-four hour period to request reactivation. After this, their permission to operate a second account will be withdrawn and their name will be removed from the register.