noun
guilt-by-association system; joint liability system
Primarily refers to the Japanese election law provision where a candidate can be disqualified if a campaign staff member commits a serious violation. Also used more broadly for any system of collective responsibility.
選挙違反で連座制が適用され、当選が無効になった。
The guilt-by-association system was applied due to an election violation, and the election was invalidated.
連座制は、候補者本
The joint liability system is a strict rule that can remove an elected official from office even if they were not personally involved.
Compound of 連座 (れんざ, 'implicated in a crime') + 制 (せい, 'system'). 連座 itself derives from the concept of sitting together and sharing responsibility.