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RWANDA |
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Information on Members councils
of the association of senates,
Shoora and Equivalent councils
in Africa and the Arab world. |
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1. The National Council of
Provinces of South Africa
2. The Nation's Council of
Algeria
3. The House of Chiefs of
Botswana
4. The House of the Federation
of Ethiopia
5. The Senate of Gabon
6. Al-Ayan Council of Jordan
7. The Senate of the Islamic
Republic of Mauritania
8. The House of Counsellors of
Morocco
9. The National Council of
Namibia
10. The Senate of Nigeria
11. The Senate of Swaziland
12. The Shoora Council of Yemen
13. States' Council of Sudan
14. The Shoora Council of Saudi
Arabia
15. The Shoora Council of Qatar
16. State's Council of Oman
17. The Shoora Council of
Bahrain
18. The Shoora Council of Egypt
19. The Senate of Congo Kinshasa
20. The Senate of Burundi
21. The Senate of Madagascar |
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INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL
COUNCIL OF NAMIBIA |
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There are 26 members in the
National Council of Namibia all
elected. 19 males and 7 females
from the regional council for a
period of 6 years. One must have
been up to 21 years of age, a
Namibia citizen, sound mind and
must not have been convicted
prior to independence for an
offence for which he or she has
been sentenced to death or to
imprisonment for a period of
more than 12 months without an
option of fine, unless he or she
has received a free pardon or
such imprisonment has expired at
least 10 years prior to the date
of election.
A member can also be removed
before the end of the tenure by
the Regional Council or by his
or her political party or if the
member cresses the floor for
reasons of a decline in his
membership of the political
party that elected him or if he
as a member of a Regional
Council absents himself or
herself without leave of the
Regional Council on three
consecutive sittings of the
Regional Council and his or her
absence is not condoned by the
Regional Council.
The chamber is convened by a
notice circulated by the office
of the Secretary of the National
Council to the 13 Regional
Councils informing them of the
date of the first meeting of the
Council.
There is no constitutional
provision for the dissolution of
the chamber.
On the relation between the
National Council and the lower
chamber, bills are first
introduced in the lower chamber
and then referred to the upper
chamber for review. There is no
fixed number of times that the
Council must sit in a year.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
Council is called the Chairman.
He is elected at the same time
with other members for a
six-year tenure then elected as
Chairman at the first meeting of
the Council by a simple majority
vote 50 + 1. The Presiding
Officer can also be removed
before the end of his tenure
through the same process –
simple majority of the members
of the Council by passing a vote
of no confidence. When removed,
he can still retain his seat as
a member of the Council.
His functions include the
following:
1. Presides over sessions of the
National Council.
2. Maintains order during the
sessions/debates.
3. Makes rulings
4. Acts as the spokesperson of
the National Council.
There is no official order of
precedence in Namibia.
Other Principal Officers of the
National Council of Namibia are:
(a) Vice Chairperson – elected
by the Council.
(b) Leader of the Official
oppositions
(c) Chief Whip of the Ruling
Party
(d) Chairpersons of Committees
(e) Deputy Chief Whip of the
Ruling Party
(f) Assistant Whip
Different political parties
elect these Principal Officers.
The Principal Officer can be
removed if a vote of no
confidence is passed on him
through the same process by
which he was elected.
A brief outline of the functions
of other Principal Officers who
are also elected as follows:
1. The Vice Chairperson is the
Chairperson of the Committee of
the whole Council and acts in
the place of the Chairman in his
absence. He is the coordinator
of committees.
2. The Leader of the opposition
acts as the head of the
opposition Minority Party in the
National Council.
3. The Chief Whip of the Ruling
Party is the head of the Members
of the Majority Party in the
House and his or her functions
are at a political level and to
ensure that his or her party
members attend sessions and vote
in accordance with the mandates
received from their Party.
4. Chairpersons of Committees
chair the Committee meetings and
table reports of committees in
the House.
5. Deputy Chief Whip stands in
for the Chief Whip when the
latter is absent.
6. Assistant Whip takes the
minutes during their caucus
meetings.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are 9 Committees in
the Council each having between
4 to 6 members. The Chairman of
the Council also belongs to a
Committee. They are selected for
the same period as the tenure of
office. Bills are referred to
the Committees to examine them
and report back to the House. It
is the Committee’s
responsibility to obtain public
input in the Bills.
The structure of the Committees
is as follows:
1. Committees Coordinator.
2. Chairperson of the Committee.
3. Vice Chairperson of
Committees.
4. Committee Clerks
The Committees are classified
into two:
1. In-House Committees
2. Standing Committee (Port
folio)
There are no particular
qualifications for the Chairs of
the Committees. The Chairmen of
the Committees are appointed by
the Committee on Standing Rules
and Orders.
The Committee Chairs have the
following as duties:
1. Chairing of Committee
Meetings
2. Table reports of Committees
3. Coordinate Committee’s
activities
4. Convene meetings of
Committees
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are three Political
Parties represented in the
Namibian Council:
1. SWAPO: South West Africa
Peoples Organization – 92.31%
2. DTA: Democratic Turn hale
Alliance – 3.84%
3. UDF: United Democratic Front
– 3.84%
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council has oversight
functions with regards to other
arms of Government but is not
involved in anyway in the
foreign policy process of the
country.
A Brief Outline of the
Functions of the Council:
1. The Council reviews
Bills.
2. It investigates and report to
the National Assembly on any
subordinate legislation, which
is referred to it by the
National Assembly for Advice.
3. The Council recommends
legislation on the matters of
regional concern for submission
and consideration by the
National Assembly.
4. It performs any other
functions assigned to it by the
National Assembly or by an Act
of Parliament.
At a resolution adopted by the
House can amend or suspend its
rules. The Chamber also controls
discipline among its members.
On immunity, no member shall be
liable to any civil or criminal
proceedings, arrest,
imprisonment or damages by
reason of anything done in the
exercise of his or her right to
freedom of speech in parliament
or whilst taking part in any
proceeding in parliament.
The staff of the Council are
recruited by the Public Service
Commission of Namibia and funds
are released to it by the
Ministry of Finance.
A Brief Outline of the Structure
of the Council:
1. Office of the Secretary –
Secretary of the National
Council
2. Directorate Office of the
Chairman – Director Chairman’s
Office
3. Directorate General Services
– Director of General Service
4. Legislative, Legal Services
Office – Chief Legal Counsel
5. Directorate Specialized
Services – Director of
Specialized Services
ADDRESS
National Council of Namibia
Private Bag 13371
Windhoek
Namibia
Telephone:
09264-61-202-8000/8111
Fax: 09264-61-226121
Website: www.parliament.gov.na
Current President
Hon. A.K. Kapere
The date of next election of the
National Council of Namibia is
2010
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INFORMATION ON THE SENATE OF
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA |
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There are in the Senate of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria from
2003 –2007, a total of 104
members, 100 males and 4 females
all directly elected by the
electorates of their different
constituencies for duration of 4
years. The chamber is convened
by a proclamation issued by the
President of the Federation. The
constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria provides
that after 4 years from the date
of the first sitting, the Senate
stands dissolved.
The Senate of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria cannot be
dissolved before the end of its
session.
The two Houses have equal
legislative competence. Every
bill passed by either House has
to be passed by the other House
in identical form before it can
be forwarded to the President
for assent.
The Senate is expected to sit
for a total of 181 days in a
year.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
Senate of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria is called “The
President of the Senate”. He is
elected at the same time with
others basically as a Senator.
He is subsequently elected
President by his colleagues by a
simple majority of votes in the
Chambers.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE
PRESIDING OFFICER INCLUDES
1. Chairing the plenary
sessions of the Chamber and the
committees of the whole Senate.
2. Ruling on Points of Order.
3. Final interpretation of the
Chambers rules.
4. Appointment of Chairs and
members of the committees in
consultation with the committee
of selection, which he chairs.
5. He is the Chairman of joint
sessions of the two Chambers.
6. He represents the National
Assembly at ceremonial
occasions.
The constitution of Nigeria
makes him number 3 on the
National Order of Precedence.
Other Principal Officers of
Senate are:
1. Deputy Senate President
2. Senate Leader
3. Senate Minority Leader
4. Deputy Senate Leader
5. Deputy Minority Leader
6. Senate Majority Whip
7. Senate Minority Whip
8. Deputy Majority Whip
9. Deputy Minority Whip
Brief Outline of their
Functions are as follows:
1. The Deputy Senate President
act with full powers in the
absence of the President.
2. The Senate Leader leads
debates on all Government bills
and measures.
3. The Minority Leader seconds
all formal motions by Senate
Leader.
4. The Deputy Senate Leader acts
in the absence of the Leader.
5. The Deputy Minority Leader
acts in the absence of the
Minority Leader.
6. The Majority Whip organizes
his Party for major debates and
ensures discipline in the
Chamber.
7. The Minority Whip organizes
his Parties for major debates
and ensures discipline among his
members.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The Senate of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria from 2003 –
2007 has a total of 54
committees. The number of
members in each committee ranges
from 9 – 13.
The committees have the role of
studying and researching on
bills and motions referred to
them and report their findings
to the Chamber.
The committees are classified
into Special Committees and
Standing Committees.
The President of the Senate in
consultation with the committee
of selection appoints the
Chairmen of the Committees.
The Committee Chair presides
over the meetings of the
Committee. He rules on points of
order, interprets the rules,
signs and presents committee
reports to the Chamber.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are three Political
Parties represented in Senate of
the 4th Republic (2003 - 2007).
Their names are the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), which
has majority of members up to
70.4%.
The All Nigeria Peoples Party
(ANPP), which is second with
25.0% and the Alliance for
Democracy (AD) with 4.6%.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE
The Senate has as an oversight
functions the investigation of
the implementation of the Annual
Budgets by Executive Departments
and the Supervision of Nigeria’s
Foreign Policies by passing into
legality treaties entered into
by the country.
The Senate also approves
Diplomatic and Ministerial
Appointments, Judiciary
Appointments and Removal of
Judicial Officers at the Federal
level. It also approves States
and Local Governments creation
and amends the constitution when
necessary.
The Senate can discipline and
control its members in the
Chamber.
On immunity, no member of the
Senate can be sued or arrested
for anything he says on the
floor of the Senate.
ADDRESS
The Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
National Assembly
Abuja
P.O. Box 141, Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone: 234-9-2340144
234-9-2340058
234-9-2340009
Fax: 234-9-2342159/7
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INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL
COUNCIL OF PROVINCES, PARLIAMENT
OF THE
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA |
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The National Council of
Provinces, Parliament of the
Republic of South Africa has a
total of 54 members, 36 males
and 18 females.
The members of the NCOP are
nominated by their political
parties in the provincial
legislatures and then appointed
to the NCOP by the provincial
legislatures, which act as the
Electoral College.
NCOP members have a term of five
years provided they are not
removed from office.
A member can be removed before
the end of his/her tenure. In
terms of section 62(4) of the
Constitution, a person ceases to
be a permanent delegate if that
person:-
• Ceases to be eligible to be a
member of the provincial
legislature for any reason other
than being appointed as a
permanent delegate.
• Becomes a member of the
Cabinet
• Has lost confidence of the
provincial legislature and is
recalled by the party that
nominated that person
• Ceases to be a member of the
party that nominated that person
and is recalled by that party
• Is absent from the NCOP
without permission in
circumstances for which the
rules and orders of the Council
prescribe loss of office as a
permanent delegate.
The Upper and Lower Houses pass
legislations except for certain
constitutional amendments that:
1 Relate to a matter that
affects the Council;
2 Alter provincial boundaries,
powers, functions or
institutions; or
3 Amend a provision that deals
specially with a provincial
matter.
• Both Houses have to ratify
International Agreements.
• Both Houses conduct oversight
over the national executive.
• Committees of the Houses
confer with each other if
instructed to do so.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer is
addressed as the Chairperson of
the National Council of
Provinces.
Section 64(2) provides that the
Chairperson and one of the
Deputy Chairpersons are elected
from among the permanent
delegates for five years unless
their terms as delegates expire
earlier.
He is nominated at the same time
with other members to the
provincial legislature from
where he is appointed to the
NCOP. Section 64(6) provides
that the Council may remove the
Chairperson or a Deputy
Chairperson from office.
A brief outline of the functions
of the Chairperson is as
follows:
• He has the overall
responsibility and
accountability for the usage of
NCOP Parliamentary time.
• Presides over the House
sittings.
• Presides over the NCOP
Programme Committee meetings to
ensure that the NCOP discharges
its constitutional obligations.
• Has the overall responsibility
for the scheduling of
parliamentary business.
• Accounts for the utilization
of resources for the operation
of the NCOP.
• Oversees that the NCOP fulfils
its oversight role.
• Represents the NCOP
internationally (and with the
Speaker of the National
Assembly, represents Parliament
internationally).
• Oversees that Members of the
NCOP are empowered to fulfill
their roles as public
representatives.
• Has the overall responsibility
with the Speaker of the National
Assembly to oversee the budget
of Parliament.
• Has the overall responsibility
to oversee the budget of the
Secretary to the NCOP and the
Office of the Chairperson.
• Holds the overall
responsibility to monitor and
implement parliamentary policies
and procedures.
• Ensures that there is an
effective and efficient
relationship with the National
Assembly, the Executive, the
Provinces and Local Government.
• Holds the overall
responsibility for overseeing
the management and effective
functioning of the NCOP.
• Presides over the NCOP Rules
Committee.
• Together with the Speaker of
the National Assembly, the
Chairperson presides over the
Joint Rules Committee and the
Joint Programme Committee.
• The Chairperson, Speaker of
the National Assembly, Deputy
Chairperson and Deputy Speaker
constitute the Joint Tagging
Mechanism.
In general, the Presiding
Officers are equivalent to the
National Ministers.
The Members in the Chamber elect
the Presiding Officer. The Chief
Justice of South Africa presides
over the election of the
Chairperson or designates
another judge to do so. The
Chairperson then presides over
the election of the Deputy
Chairpersons.
A Presiding Officer must obtain
the simple majority of votes
cast by the provinces (i.e. five
votes out of a total of nine
provinces).
The NCOP may remove the
Chairperson from office as per
section 64(6) of the
Constitution read with rule 14
of the NCOP Rules. In terms of
the Council Rules, the House may
by resolution moved by the head
of a provincial delegation and
seconded by the heads of at
least three other delegations,
move for the removal from office
of the Chairperson or a Deputy
Chairperson.
However, in terms of the
Constitution and the rules, the
removal from office as a
Presiding Officer is not linked
to the removal as a member of
the Council. If the reason for
the removal falls within the
provisions of section 62(4) of
the Constitution such a person
would cease to be a member of
the Council as well.
Designations of other
Principal Officers are:
1. Deputy Chairperson of the
NCOP (referred to as the
Permanent Deputy Chairperson of
the NCOP)
2. Rotating Deputy Chairperson
of the NCOP
3. Chairperson of Committees
4. Deputy Chairperson of
Committees
These other Principal Officers
can also be removed before the
end of their tenure as stated in
rule 14 of the Council rules.
The Council may by resolution
moved by the head of a
provincial delegation and
seconded by the heads of at
least three other delegations,
remove from office any other
Principal Officers. The reason
may vary from “loss of
confidence” in the Principal
Officer, including those reasons
outlined in section 62(4) of the
Constitution.
FUNCTIONS OF OTHER PRINCIPAL
OFFICERS
The permanent Deputy Chairperson
of the NCOP assists the
Chairperson in discharging
his/her functions.
Chairperson of Committees:-
Ensuring the compilation of
Programmes by select Committees
that are in compliance with
their Strategic Plans.
Facilitating the drafting of
budgets by Select Committees.
Providing reports to the
Programme Committee meeting
regarding committee activities
in respect of the processing of
legislation.
Monitoring of support provided
by the Committee Section.
Ensuring/Tracking the
processing of legislation by
Committees.
Coordinating of Select
Committees’ Strategic and
Business Plans and Programming
of Select Committees’
activities.
Convening and chairing the
Forum of Chairpersons of
Committees and Caucus
Chairpersons quarterly.
Convening and chairing regular
meetings of the Chairpersons of
Committees.
Deputy Chairperson of
Committees
Co-coordinating of oversight
activities of Select Committees.
Ensuring the compilation of
the committee reports on
oversight activities.
Ensuring that all committees
are briefed on the Budget Votes
by government departments and
providing progress reports on
such briefings to the Programme
Committee.
Monitoring of compliance by
the Executive with respect to
recommendations set out in
reports of Select Committees
through the Office of the
Chairperson of the NCOP.
Facilitating of implementation
of recommendations of the
oversight subcommittee by
championing implementation by
the Task Team on Oversight by
overseeing work by officials.
Facilitating oversight and
monitoring the reports on the
workings of the Public Education
Unit. This is informed by the
political imperative that
Parliament should be accessible
to the people as well as the
constitutional imperative of
facilitation of public
participation.
Addressing members’ queries
regarding Members’ Interests by
liaising and ensuring that
policies in this regard are
implemented.
Acquaint it with policies
regarding labour relations and
be the receptacle of such
matters in order to advise the
Office of the Chairperson and
enable it to intervene
appropriately where necessary.
To facilitate installation of
systems to ensure that the
institution is fully Information
Technology compliant and
technologically ready to deal
with its functions.
To attend and provide inputs
to the Forum of Chairpersons of
Committees and Caucus
Chairpersons which meets
quarterly to exchange
information, perspectives and
discuss, where necessary, issues
relating to support to members
or members’ interests.
Ensure finalization of
existing draft policies on Leave
for Members, Artworks
Management, Exhibitions, and
Library. Once Policy is adopted,
monitor and report on
implementation progress or
otherwise.
Monitor and report on
Household Services work
especially in relation to
Parliament as well as
maintenance and security of its
assets.
The Chairperson of Committees
and the Deputy Chairperson of
Committees are appointed by
resolution of the House.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The NCOP does make use of a
committee system. Committees are
the vehicles for the NCOP and
the National Assembly to fulfill
their roles
The current parliamentary system
makes provision for 10
Committees in the National
Council of Provinces and 8 Joint
Committees.
The number of members in each
committee varies depending on
the nature of the committees,
e.g. a cluster of a Select
Committee consists of 13 to 16
members, and subcommittees
consist of 5 members except the
Programme committee which
consist of 19 members. Ad hoc
committees consist of 9 members
The Presiding officer chairs the
Rules committee and the
Programmes committee.
The Role of the Committee in the
Legislative Process
In terms of Section 42(2) of the
Constitution, the National
Assembly (NA) and the National
Council of Provinces (NCOP)
participate in the legislative
process in the manner set out in
the Constitution. In terms of
sections 55 and 68 of the
Constitution, in exercising its
legislative power, the National
Assembly and National Council of
Provinces may consider, pass,
amend or reject any legislation
before the Assembly or the
Council. Sections 57 and 70 of
the Constitution further
provides that the rules of the
Assembly and the Council must
provide for the establishment,
composition, powers, functions,
procedures and duration of its
committees. In accordance with
this constitutional mandate, the
committees of the Assembly and
the Council consider, pass,
amend and reject legislation.
Rule 149 of the Council rules
further provides that the
function of the committee on
members’ legislative proposals
is to consider and make
recommendations to the Council
on all legislative proposals
made by the Council members who
intend introducing Bills in the
Council.
There are four categories of
committees in the NCOP, that is:
1. Select Committees:
Each committee is a combination
of a number of related
portfolios as a number of
affairs of Government may be
grouped together in any single
select committee (clustering).
2. Domestic or House Committees:
Consists of the Rules Committee,
Programme Committee and the
Committee of Chairpersons.
3. Select Committee on Members’
Legislative Proposals: Considers
and makes recommendations to the
NCOP on legislative proposals
referred to it.
4. Ad Hoc Committees: These
committees may only be
established to perform a
specific task. The NCOP’s
resolution must include
timeframes for the completion of
a task. Once it has completed
the task, such an ad hoc
committee ceases to exist.
5. Joint Committees: Joint
Committees consist of members of
both Houses. Their functions are
governed by the Joint Rules. .
Chairpersons of committees are
expected to possess certain
qualities that would enable them
to effectively conduct meetings
of the committee, e.g. knowledge
of the rules of Parliament,
ability to conduct a meeting in
an impartial manner etc.
Chairpersons of Select
Committees are elected among
members of the committee,
whereas those of subcommittees
are appointed by the Rules
Committee, except those
committees for which the rules
prove otherwise, e.g. the
Programming Committee, Rules
Committee and the Joint Rules
Committee, which are chaired by
the Chairperson of the National
Council of Provinces.
The tenure of a committee is
linked to the tenure of the
National Council of Provinces,
that is, five years.
The duties of a Committee
Chairperson include:
• Convening and chairing
meetings of the committee.
• Overseeing the compilation of
the minutes and reports of the
committee.
• Overseeing the budget of the
committee.
• Compiling the business plan of
the committee, including the
strategic plan.
• Compiling the Programme of the
committee in liaison with the
Chairperson of Committees.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are eight (8) Political
Parties in the Chamber. Their
names and percentages of
representation are shown as
follows:
1. African National Congress
(ANC) = 71%
2. Democratic Alliance (DA) =
14%
3. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) =
4%
4. New National Party (NNP) = 3%
5. Independent Democrats (ID) =
2%
6. United Democratic Movement
(UDM) = 2%
7. United Christian Democratic
Party (UCDP) = 2%
8. Freedom Front Plus (FF+) = 2%
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The NCOP is tasked with an
oversight function in terms of
the Constitution.
It ensures that the executive is
accountable in the process of
exercising the mandate of the
electorate. In terms of section
62 of the Constitution, the
National Council of Provinces
may require a Cabinet Member, a
Deputy Minister or an official
in the national executive or a
provincial executive to attend a
meeting of the Council or a
Committee of the Council.
The NCOP is also obliged in
terms of section 231 of the
Constitution to ratify
International Agreements entered
into by the executive although
Foreign Affairs is a national
competence.
Other Functions of the Chamber:
The constitutional mandate of
the National Council of
Provinces is to:
• Represent the provinces to
ensure that provincial interests
are taken into account in the
national sphere of government.
• Participate in the national
legislative process.
• Provide a national forum for
public consideration of issues
affecting the provinces.
• Hold the Executive to account
in terms of Section 92.
The chamber has a standing rule
of business called the Rules of
the National Council of
Provinces. The chamber can also
amend or suspend its rules.
It also has the power to
discipline its members.
The Council has no hand in the
recruitment of staff. The
Parliament of South Africa has a
Human Resources Department,
which deals with the
recruitment, discipline and
training of staff.
The NCOP utilizes the Human
Resources Department when it
requires its services regarding
recruitment etc. The Secretary
to Parliament is also requested
for approval to recruit and
appoint staff.
It is however involved when
political staff are recruited
and appointed.
The chamber controls its own
budget; however, such control is
regulated in terms of the Public
Finance Management Act.
On an administrative level also,
the Secretary to Parliament is
the Accounting Officer
responsible for the control of
funds of Parliament, it is then
delegated to the Secretaries of
both Houses from a specific
House.
STRUCTURE OF THE CHAMBER
Office of the Chairperson =
Chairperson of the NCOP
(Political
Head of the Institution)
Secretary to the NCOP =
Divisional Head (Head of the
Administration)
Provincial and Municipal Liaison
Section = Section Manager
Procedural Services Section =
Section Manager
Administration Unit = Unit
Manager
ADDRESS
Hon. Mr. M. J. Mahlangu, MP
The Chairperson of the National
Council of Provinces
Ground Floor
Old Assembly Wing
Office S11
P.O. Box 15
Cape Town
8000
Advocate L.L. Matyolo
The Secretary to the NCOP
First Floor
Old Assembly Wing
Office S25
P.O. Box 15
Cape Town
8000
Telephone number(s): 27 21 403
2118/2127
Fax number: 27 21 403 2660
Email address:
lmatyolo@parliament.gov.za
http://www.parliament.gov.za.
Click on the NCOP link.
Current Presiding Officer
Hon. Mr. M.J. Mahlangu, MP
Tenure: 5 years
The date for the next election
into the Council is 2009
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INFORMATION ON THE SHOORA
COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN |
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There are a total of 111 members
in the Shoora Council of the
Republic of Yemen made up of 109
males and 2 females. All
appointed by the President of
the Republic of Yemen.
There is no fixed tenure of
mandate for members. A member
can be removed before the end of
the tenure by the President of
the country for political
reasons. Chamber is convened
periodically by a call from the
Chairman of the Council. It can
only be dissolved by a decree
from the President of the
Country.
On the relationship with the
lower chamber, there are
constitutional mandates that
both Councils share. The sitting
days of the Council is not
limited as long as there are
issues to be deliberated upon.
The law also states that the
Council can hold sessions in a
year from January to July then
September to December.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
Council is known as the Speaker.
His tenure is the same as the
tenure of the Council. Members
of the Council elect him with an
absolute majority of votes. The
President of the country can
also remove him before the end
of his tenure or by the Council
if he fails to perform properly.
In the event of his removal as
the Presiding Officer of the
Council, he still retains his
seat as a member of the Council
unless he gets a new
appointment.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF
THE COUNCIL
There are three other Principal
Officers of the namely: Two
Deputy Speakers whose official
ranks are Deputy Premiers,
elected from the Council. The
third is the Secretary General
of the Council whose official
ranking is that of a Minister
and is appointed by the
President. Other Principal
Officers can also be removed
either by the Council or by the
President of the Republic for
the reason of lack of
performance or political
decisions.
The Deputies as usual, assist
the Speaker in the performance
of his duties. The Secretary
General oversees the
Administrative activities of the
Council under the supervision of
the Speaker and his Deputies.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE
FUNCTIONS OF THE SPEAKER OF THE
COUNCIL
He presides over the council’s
meetings, clarifies issues and
subjects of discussions.
Concludes the final results of
the council’s discussions and
puts them to vote. He also signs
agreements and contracts
relating to the Shoora Council,
refers issues to the committees,
speaks on behalf of the Council
and executes any mandate given
to him by the Council.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The Council runs committee
system and has about 13
committees whose number of
members’ stretches between 7 and
11. The Speaker of the Council
does not belong to any
committee. Each committee’s role
in the legislative process is
enshrined in the Rule of
Procedures of the Council. The
Council can also assign
responsibilities to the
committees from time to time.
Each committee is structured to
have a Chairperson, Deputy and a
Rapporteur. The Chairs of the
committees are usually elected
from amongst the most qualified
and experienced members by the
members of the committees
themselves. Their tenure is the
same with the life of the
committees.
The Chairs of the committees
have the following as duties:
1. Presiding over the committee
meetings
2. Share the activities of the
committees.
3. Plans and co-ordinates
relations between the committees
and the chamber.
4. Inform the committees of any
views or ideas put forward by
the Council.
5. Approve the minutes of
meetings.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are six Political Parties
equally represented in the
Chamber as its in the
Parliament.
The Parties are:
1. General People’s Conference
2. Yemen Reform Party
3. Yemen Socialist Party
4. Yemen Unionist Nasirite Party
5. National Baath Party
6. Arab Baath Party
It is pertinent to note here
that there are Parties that are
not represented in the
Parliament yet but they have
seats in the Shoora Council.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council has no direct
oversight functions over the
Government but can invite the
Prime Minister, his Deputies and
the Ministers to attend the
sessions as observers.
However, the Council has a
constitutional mandate to advice
the President on Foreign
Policies as well as
socio-economic and military
issues. Besides, the Council
shares with the Parliament, the
ratification of accords and
treaties.
In addition, the Council can
advice on Public strategies
relating to economic development
plans, democratic process and
social plans.
The President of the Republic
can also refer issues to the
Council for analysis. The
Council shares with the
parliament the decision on
nominating the candidates for
the Presidential elections. It
also has the mandate to look
after the Press, Civil Society
Organisations and Local
governance.
The Council can study and
analyse the reports of the
Central Accounts and Auditing
Authority. The Council has two
standing rules for its business,
the Rule of Procedures and the
Financial and Bonus Rules.
The constitution also specifies
the relationship between the
chamber and other arms of
Government. There is also the
Rules of Procedures of the
Shoora Council and the
Parliament and other laws that
govern the relationship.
The Council can also amend or
suspend its rules by a decree
from the President of the
Republic. Members of the Council
are controlled within the legal
framework under which the
Council operates.
On immunity, a member cannot be
questioned for the information
he has or he knows. He also
cannot be held accountable for
his own opinion. The Council is
also autonomous in the
recruitment of staff but with
certain rules. The political
leadership is also involved in
staff matters within its
mandate.
The Council usually suggests its
budget but the final approval is
shared with the Ministry of
Finance.
The structure of the Council is
such that gives the General
Secretariat the duty of
overseeing the following General
Departments:
1. General Directorate for
Committees.
2. General Directorate for
Council’s Sessions
3. General Directorate for
Finance
4. General Directorate for
Personnel
5. Directorate for Legal Affairs
6. Secretary General’s Office
The Speaker’s Office is in
charge of:
1. Speaker’s Office Director
2. Technical Office
3. Deputy Director’s Office
4. Speaker’s Secretariat
5. Public Relations and Protocol
Department
ADDRESS
The Shoora Council
P.O. Box 23065
Telephones: 00967-1-227815/4
Fax: 00967-1-560390
Email: shoora@y.net.ye
Website: www.shoora.gov.ye
Current Speaker
His Excellency, Abdul Aziz Abdul
Ghani
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THE HOUSE OF DIGNITARIES OF
THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN |
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There are 55 members of the
House of Dignitaries of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,
made up of 48 males and 7
females, all appointed by His
Majesty, the King of Jordan for
a 4 year tenure.
The King can remove a member
before the end of the tenure.
The Council is convened by a
call from the King to sit when
the need arises.
The King can also dissolve the
Council before the end of the
tenure through a royal decree.
Bills originate from the Lower
House before they go to the
Council.
The Council sits in ordinary
session for a period of four
months. The King can however,
call for other sessions.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer is the
President appointed by the King
for a period of two years, which
is extendable.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE
COUNCIL’S PRESIDENT
1. He presides over the
Council’s meetings.
2. He chairs the Supreme Council
for the interpretation of the
constitution.
3. He chairs the joint meeting
of both chambers.
The President of the Council
comes after the Prime Minister
in the country’s National Order
of Precedence.
The King can remove him before
the end of his tenure.
The Council elects other
Principal Officers. They are as
follows:
1. First Deputy President
2. Second Deputy President
3. Two Assistants to the
President
The same Council members that
elected them can also remove
them. They also loose their
membership if they resign, or
are appointed into new
positions. Their functions are
as follows:
1. Representing the Council at
official engagements when it is
on recess.
2. Supporting the President in
his duties.
3. Taking charge of the Council
in the absence of the President.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are eight committees in
the Council each having a
maximum of 15 members. The
committees have as roles, to
study the Draft Bills referred
to them from the Council and to
discuss policies and decisions
relevant to their different
mandates.
The president chairs all the
committees and there is a
Rapporteur for each committee.
The committees are formed in
accordance with needs and
mandates. The Rapporteur’s
qualification should match the
need of the committee he is
elected to serve. Members of
Committees are elected for
2-year tenure. The Chairs
preside over the committee
meetings and report the findings
on each matter to the chamber.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council has oversight
functions with regards to other
arms of Government. It
participates in regional and
international meetings, and
shares their experiences with
the Prime Minister and the
Ministers, which in turn can
affect the decisions of
Government. They also engage in
the legislative mandate and
supervision of Government’s
performance.
The Council functions with the
rules of procedures of the
chamber and the constitution is
specific on the relationship
between the chamber and the
other arms of Government. The
Council can amend the rules of
procedure and the provisions
contained in the rules of
procedure permit the Council to
discipline erring members.
Members of the Council cannot be
sued, questioned, detained or
jailed without the approval of
the Council unless caught in the
act.
The chamber is autonomous in the
recruitment of staff.
ADDRESS
The House of Dignitaries
P.O. Box 72
Postal code 111.1
Telephone: 0096265664121
Fax: 0096265621782
CURRENT PRESIDENT
H.E. Zaid Al Rifai
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THE SHOORA COUNCIL OF THE
STATE OF QATAR |
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The Council has 35 members all
appointed by His Majesty, Sheikh
Hamad Bin Al Thany, the Emir of
Qatar and mandates take effect
from the date of appointment
till the end of the Council’s
tenure in accordance with the
rules of procedures.
A member of the Council can be
removed before the end of the
mandate by a decree from His
Majesty, the Emir as a result of
his inefficiency. The Council is
convened by a proclamation by
His Majesty, the Amir either for
an annual session or an
emergency session and can also
be dissolved in the same manner
even before the end of mandate.
The Amir can also dissolve the
Council in the interest of the
Public. The Council is expected
to sit at least for 8 months in
a year.
The legislature in the State of
Qatar is unicameral.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The President is the Presiding
Officer of the Council. The
current President elected by
secret ballot in the Council
with a simple majority has been
in charge of the Council since
1995.
The Council also elects the
Deputy President and the
Controller.
Brief outlines of the
President’s Functions are as
follows:
1. He oversees the general
Administration of the Council.
2. He presides over the sessions
and secures order.
3. He supervises the budget and
final accounts.
4. He represents the Council in
different occasions.
There has not been any President
of the Council removed from
office before the end of his
tenure.
Other Principal Officers of the
Shoora Council of the State of
Qatar include:
1. The Deputy President helps
the President in his duties and
acts for him in his absence.
2. The Controller
Other Functions of Principal
Officers include:
1. The supervision of the
minutes writing.
2. Preparation of the Council’s
budgets and final accounts.
3. Nomination of delegates to
international conferences.
4. Follow up committees’
activities and the
administration of the Council.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are 5 committees in the
Shoora Council of the State of
Qatar formed in consideration of
their relevance to the needs of
the Council as contained in the
rules of procedure. Each
committee must have at least
five members.
A committee must have a
Rapporteur and Secretariat. The
tenure of the committees is the
same as the tenure of each
session. A committee chair
participates in the discussions,
maintains order in his committee
and approves the committees’
findings for submission to the
Council.
There are no Political Parties
represented in the Council.
The rules of procedure as
contained in the law number 6 of
1979 is the chamber’s standing
rule for legislative business.
The internal rules of procedure
can be amended by a two-third
majority and a law issued to
endorse the amendments.
Members cannot be questioned for
their opinions on the floor of
the Council.
The Secretary General and other
Workers are recommended by the
President of the Council with
the approval of the chamber.
ADDRESS
P.O. Box 2034
Doha – Qatar
Telephone: 974413222
Fax: 974425526
Email: fahd@shura.gv.qa
CURRENT PRESIDENT
H.E. Mohammed Bin Mubark Al
Khalify
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THE SHOORA COUNCIL OF EGYPT |
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The Council has a total of 264
members made up of 246 males and
females. 176 of the number are
elected through direct electrons
by all constituents listed in
the Registration Roster while 88
are appointed by the President
of the country. The members’
mandate duration is 6 years. A
member looses his membership of
the Council if he resigns or his
election nullified. A member
also looses his mandate if he is
given a new position in
Government.
The Council is convened by a
call from the President for the
inauguration of the Council and
then the Speaker of the Council
takes over.
Upon a decree by the President,
the Council can be dissolved. In
addition, the decree must also
include a call for new
elections. This could be before
the end of its session or at the
end of the session as stipulated
in the constitution.
The Shoora Council of Egypt
enjoys mutual cooperation with
the Lower Chamber. It is
stipulated that the Council
should sit for at least seven
months in a year.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Speaker is the Presiding
Officer of the Council. He is
elected directly by members of
the Council through simple
majority of the number of votes
cast for a three-year tenure. He
is the third person in Egypt’s
National Order of Precedence. He
can be removed before the end of
the tenure if he gets a new post
or found to be ineffective. He
can still retain his seat in the
event of the later.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDING
OFFICER
1. He represents the Council at
official functions, speaks on
its behalf.
2. He works to preserve the
dignity and security of the
members and oversees the
Council’s activities.
3. He chairs the meetings of the
Council and announces decisions
taken.
4. He supervises the work of the
committees and discusses urgent
issues with them.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF
THE SHOORA COUNCIL OF EGYPT ARE:
1. Two Deputies of the Speaker
2. The Secretary General
3. Assistant Secretary General
The two Deputies of the Speaker
cannot be removed but the others
can be removed by the Speaker if
it is in the interest of the
public as they are also
appointed by him after they have
been recommended by the
Council’s office and the Shoora
Council should be informed.
THE FUNCTIONS OF OTHER
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
1. The Deputies can be assigned
duties or be delegated by the
Speaker to either preside over
the meeting of the Council or
represent him at functions.
2. They also take charge of the
Council in the absence of the
Speaker.
3. The Speaker and his Deputies
form the Council office, which
supervise the Council’s
activities and prepare the
Council’s agenda.
4. They take care of the
Parliamentary delegations.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are ten committees in the
Shoora Council of Egypt with a
membership of between 15 and 40.
The Speaker of the Council does
not belong to any committee but
can attend the meetings of any
of his choice and even presides
over the meeting.
The committees discuss Draft
Bills and other issues that may
be referred and other issues
that may be referred to it prior
to the preliminary sittings.
There is a chairperson in each
committee, two Deputies and a
Secretary.
The members of the Council
usually choose the committees to
work with and the Council then
endorses their choices. These
members then go ahead to elect
their chairs, for a period of 3
years. Committees are formed
every 3 years that is twice
within the tenure of the
Council.
Chairmen convene the committee
meetings, set agenda and choose
a rapporteur to present the
committee report to the Council.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are 7 parties represented
in the Council. They are:
1. The National Democratic Party
- 229 members
2. Liberal Socialist - 1 member
3. National Unionist Congregate
2 members
4. New Wafed 1 member
5. Social Solidarity 1 member
6. Egyptian Green 1 member
7. Democratic Generation 1
member
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
There is no oversight function
over the other arms of
Government, but the Council can
discuss the political and
foreign issues as well as
internal policies of Government
and report its findings and
suggestions to the President of
the Republic.
OTHER FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:
1. Involvement in the amendment
of the constitution.
2. Deliberation on Draft Bills
from members and from the
President on peace accords,
alliances, border matters and on
issues that affect the
sovereignty of the country.
3. The Council discusses the
country’s plan for socio
economic development.
4. It can also ask questions on
Government policies.
There are standing rules that
govern the Council’s business.
The constitution and the
Council’s law number 120 of 1980
define the relationship between
the Council, lower chamber and
the other arms of Government. It
also has the power to suspend or
amend its rules. The chamber can
control and discipline erring
members. The committee on values
takes care of the behaviour of
members vis-ŕ-vis the Egyptian
Society values and can impose or
recommend punishments.
The criminal code cannot be
applied to the members unless
they are caught in action. The
Council is autonomous in the
recruitment of staff. It also
approves its budget and controls
it.
ADDRESS
Shoora Council of Egypt
Qaser Al Aini Street
Cairo
Telephone: 002127955492
Fax: 002127949101
Email: saicig@idsc.net.eg
Website: www.shura.gov.eg
CURRENT PRESIDING OFFICER
Safwat Al Sharif
Tenure: 3 years
Next election: 2007
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THE COUNCIL OF ADVISORS OF
THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO |
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There are 279 (273 males and 3
females) members in the Council
of Advisors of the Kingdom of
Morocco all elected for a
duration of 9 years. One third
of the members are elected into
the Council every year.
The process of entry into the
chamber is by election, through
local authorities and election
by members of Trade Union
Chambers. Members of the Council
are elected through an Electoral
College, which is constituted by
the elected members of local
authority and members of Trade
Union Chambers. A member of the
Council can loose his membership
of the Council before the end of
his tenure for legal reasons
like election irregularities in
which case he has to leave the
chamber for the execution of
justice.
The Council has two sessions in
a year. The first session starts
in October while the second
starts in April. Each of these
sessions lasts for 3 months.
Additional sessions may be held
on a request from the Government
and two third majority support
of members of the Council.
The King of Morocco has the
power to dissolve the Council
within the tenure or at the
expiration of the tenure, in
accordance with the provisions
of chapter 27 of the
constitution.
The Council of Advisors and the
Lower Chamber compliment each
other within constitutional
framework.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The President of the Council
presides over the activities of
the Chamber. He is elected by an
absolute majority in the first
round, then a simple majority in
the second round for a 3-year
tenure.
THE PRESIDENT HAS AS
FUNCTIONS:
1. To direct the Council
administratively and
financially.
2. To represent the Council at
local and international
meetings.
3. To take charge of the
activities of the Council and
delegate powers to others when
necessary.
He is the third in rank in the
Moroccan National Order of
Precedence.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS WHO
ARE ALSO ELECTED INCLUDE:
1. Five Deputy Presidents
2. Three Secretaries General
3. Three Accountants
They deputize for the President
in his absence and help in the
General administration of the
Council. They also represent the
Council at functions.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are 6 committees in the
Council, each made up of 45
members. The Presiding Officer
is a member of one of the
committees.
Bills are sent to the committees
from the chamber for study and
analysis and the committees can
recommend changes where
necessary. The committees also
hold special meetings to discuss
very important issues.
The members of the committees
elect the Chairmen for a period
of 3 years. They preside over
committee meetings, prepare
reports and present them at the
plenary sessions.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are 11 Political Parties
represented in the Chamber. They
are by name:
1. National Congress of Liberals
2. National Peoples’ Movement
3. National Movement
4. Independence Party
5. Socialist Union
6. Constitutional Union
7. Democratic Union
8. Democratic Socialist Movement
9. National Democratic Party
10. The Ahed Party
11. Socialist Party
These Parties have different
representations ranging from 1
to 50 representatives.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council of Advisors of
Morocco has no direct oversight
functions on the other Arms of
Government but it has the
mandate to legislative on and
supervises the Government’s
performances. It presents
initiatives within the powers of
the Parliament, through mutual
visits and participation in
international forums.
The chamber has standing rules
for the conduct of its business
and can control or discipline
erring members.
Members cannot be arrested and
cannot be sued based on the
civil or criminal law unless the
immunity is lifted.
The Council is autonomous in the
recruitment of staff and it
controls its own budget. A new
organizational chart is being
prepared.
ADDRESS
Mohammed the 5th Street
Rabat – Kingdom of Morocco
Tel: 037-204703, 037-761116
Fax: 037-204703, 037-762474
CURRENT PRESIDENT
H.E. Mustafa Okasha
Tenure: 3 extendable years
Next election: September 2006
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THE PEOPLES’ (OUMA) COUNCIL
OF THE PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA |
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The Ouma Council is made up of
144 members. Out of this number,
96 members are elected while 48
members are appointed. The
Council has 140 Males and 4
Females members; all drawn from
respectable members of the
society and some are former
high-ranking Government
officials.
Two third of the members are
elected indirectly through local
Councils and secret balloting
while one third are appointed by
the President of the Republic in
accordance with the provisions
of the constitution. The members
have mandate duration of six
years. The Council can remove a
member before the end of the
tenure if he is found guilty of
a case against him after due
investigation. According to the
provisions of the constitution,
the chamber cannot be dissolved.
When a bill is introduced,
deliberated upon and passed by
the Peoples National Council
(Lower House). It is then sent
to the Council for analysis. The
Peoples Council sits in two
sessions every year, each
lasting no longer than five
months, but can also hold
emergency sessions upon a call
by the President or by a two
third majority request.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
Council is the President. He is
elected directly by members of
the Council by absolute majority
of votes for and an extendable
tenure of three years. He can
also be removed by the Council
before the end of his tenure if
found to be ineffective. He can
retain his seat as a member when
removed.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
1. General Administration of the
Council and securing order.
2. He presides over the meetings
and represents the Council
internally and internationally.
3. He takes charge of joint
sessions of the upper and lower
chambers.
4. He acts as the President of
the Republic when there is
vacancy.
He is the number 2 man in the
Republic’s order of precedence
that is after the President of
the country.
Other Principal Officers of the
Council are at the five Deputies
to the President. They are
elected by Council for one year
which is extendable and can also
be removed by the same
procedures if found wanting.
AMONG THE DUTIES OF THESE
OFFICERS ARE:
1. Distribution of Draft Bills
on timely basis.
2. Securing of order at Plenary
Sessions.
3. Coordination of meeting
schedules with the Government.
4. Take decisions with the
President on systems of
balloting in the Council on the
application of the rules of
procedures.
5. Study the Council’s budget.
6. Preside over the meetings
when the President is absent.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The Peoples’ Council of Algeria
has 9 committees. The committees
on Legal matters and
Administration, Human Rights,
Economy and Finance have between
15 to 19 members each. Other
committees’ membership ranges
from 10 to 15.
The Presiding Officer does not
belong to any committee but he
and his Deputies can participate
in the meetings of any committee
without votes.
A committee has the duty to
study and analyze the Draft
Bills and any other matter and
give reports to the chamber for
final discussion and assent.
Each committee has an office and
is composed of the Chairman,
Deputy and Rapporteur. The
committees are formed based on
the mandates given to the
Council by the constitution and
proportional political party
representation is taken into
account when forming the
committees. The Chairmen of the
committees should preferable
have a good knowledge of the
functions of the committee he is
to chair. The Parliamentary
groups usually agree on the
Chairmen or members of the
committees can directly elect
them for a period of one year,
which can also be extended.
A committee Chairman supervises
the committee’s activities for
example, setting of the agenda
of meetings, chairing committee
meetings, choosing a rapporteur.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are five Political Parties
represented but only those that
have up to ten members in the
chamber can form a Parliamentary
group.
The Parties and their
representation percentages are
as follows:
1. National Democratic
Congregate 38%
2. National Liberation Front 23%
3. Peaceful Society Movement 7%
4. National Reform Movement 1%
5. Socialist Activist Movement
1%
The first three Parties formed
the Parliamentary group.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council has oversight
functions on the other organs of
Government through the power it
has to approve Government
programmes and the
Scrutinization of Government
budget. The Council can also
question and investigate
Government activities. Foreign
Policy is the responsibility of
the President of the Republic,
but the Council can advise and
supervise the performance of the
Government in this regard. The
Council also supports the
Government through Parliamentary
diplomacy with the international
community. The Council can
advise on Principal Political
matters like, the dissolution of
the first chamber, state of
emergency and war matters. It
also contributes to the
consolidation of stability of
the entire system.
The chamber has standing rules
for the conduct of its business.
The constitution of the country,
the basic laws of both chambers
show the mandate of the chamber
and the relationship between it
and the Lower House and
Government.
The rules of the Council can be
amended upon a proposal by the
President of the Council or by
at least 30 members of the
Council submitted at the
Council’s office.
The chamber can control and
discipline its members through
the implementation of the
internal rules.
The law states in article 109
that a member cannot be sued or
be questioned for his or her
opinion or for the execution of
his official duties.
The People’s Council of Algeria
is autonomous in staff
recruitment. It approves its
budget and asks the Government
to include it in the Government
budget.
Outline of the Structure of the
Council are as follows:
1. The General Secretariat
2. The General Directorate of
Legislative Affairs
3. General Directorate of
Administration and Finance
4. General Directorate of
Technical and Mutual Cooperation
There are also other sub
Directorates.
ADDRESS
Al Ouma Council (Peoples’
Council)
Qaser Zaigoot Yousuf
Algiers
P.O. Box 66
Zip code 16000
Telephone: 021735900
Fax: 021746024
Email:
majliselouma@majliselouma.d3
Website: www.majliselouma.d3
CURRENT PRESIDING OFFICER
H.E. Abdul Kader Bin Saleh
Tenure: 3 years
Date of Next Election: 2007
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THE SHOORA COUNCIL OF SAUDI
ARABIA |
Top |
The Shoora Council of Saudi
Arabia has a total of 150
members (all male) appointed by
the King of Saudi Arabia for
duration of 4 years. Members of
this Council can also be removed
by the King for lack of
performance or if a member asks
for resignation. The chamber can
also be entirely dissolved by a
Royal decree from the King. The
Council sits weekly on a call by
the Speaker of the Council. The
Shoora Council of is the only
Council in Saudi Arabia.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
Council is the President. The
King appoints him for a period
of 4 years. The King can also
remove him and if this happens,
he looses also his seat in the
chamber.
AMONG HIS FUNCTIONS ARE:
1. Overseeing of all the
Council’s activities.
2. Representing the Council in
relation to other organizations.
3. Presides over the meetings
and approves issues to be
discussed and bring them forward
for voting.
4. He also presides over the
meeting of the general
committee.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF
THE COUNCIL INCLUDE:
1. The Deputy President
2. General Secretary of the
Council
The other Principal Officers are
also appointed by the King and
can be removed by him.
A brief outline of the functions
of other Principal Officers is
as follows:
1. The Deputy President assists
the President in his absence.
2. The Secretary General takes
minutes of the meetings of the
Council, inform the members of
the time and agenda of meetings
and performs other mandate given
to him by the Speaker.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are 12 committees in
existence at the Shoora Council
of Saudi Arabia, each having a
membership of between 12 and 14.
The President of the Council
also belongs to a committee. The
Committees have as roles, to
study issues referred to it from
the Council or from the
President.
The committees have Chairmen who
are appointed by the Council.
Each Chairman should have
relevant background as regards
the duties of the committee he
is to chair. The Chairmen have
one-year tenure.
The Chair of a Committee has the
following duties:
1. He calls for meetings.
2. Presides over the meetings of
the committee.
3. Speaks for the committee in
the preliminary meeting.
There are no Political Parties
represented in the Council.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council has some oversight
functions with regard to the
other arms of Government. It
discusses the Public Policies of
the Government that are referred
to it by the Cabinet. The
Council also studies and
analyses the accords and
agreements to be entered into
with foreign organs and comments
on them.
OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE:
1. The Council discusses and
approves the socio economic plan
for development.
2. Studies and analyses laws,
bi-laws and international
accords and suggest whether what
could be done.
3. Explains and illustrates laws
and bi-laws.
4. Studies and analyses the
annual reports that are
submitted from the different
ministries of Government.
ADDRESS
Yamama Palace
Riyadh
P.O. Box 11212
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: 0096614821666
Fax: 0096612120162
Email: webmaster@shura.gov.sa
Website: www.shura.gov.sa
CURRENT PRESIDENT
Dr Saleh Bin Abdulla Bin Hamid
Tenure: Started from 24/11/1422
Hijri to date
Next election: 3/3/1430 Hijri
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THE SHOORA COUNCIL OF THE
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN |
Top |
There are 40 members in the
Shoora Council of the Kingdom of
Bahrain made up of 34 males and
6 females, all appointed by the
King for tenure of 4 years,
which can be extended but the
Council is never dissolved.
The Speaker is appointed by the
King and can also be removed by
the King before the expiration
of his tenure. His removal could
be for the reason of another
appointment violation of rules
and regulations etc. The chamber
meets weekly by a call from the
Speaker.
The Kingdom of Bahrain runs a
bi-cameral legislative system.
The two chambers must approve
any proposed bill before it is
passed. Where there is a
disagreement, they constitute
the National Council presided
over by the Speaker of the
Shoora Council to vote on the
issue of dispute. The Council
must sit for at least seven
months in a year.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer is the
Speaker of the Council. He is
appointed at the same time with
others for a period of 4 years.
He precedes the Prime Minister
and the Speaker of the
parliament.
SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE
SPEAKER CAN BE STATED AS:
1. Representing the Council and
overseeing the activities of
General Secretariat.
2. Presides over the sessions of
the Council.
3. He assigns matters to
different committees and Chairs
the Committees when it is
urgent.
As stated earlier the Presiding
Officer, Principal Officers and
the members can be removed
before the expiration of their
tenure for reasons best known to
the King.
A removed Speaker or other
Principal Officer may retain
their seats in the Council as
members depending on the King’s
decision.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL ARE:
1. The First Deputy Speaker
2. The Second Deputy Speaker
3. The Chair of Legal and
Legislations Committee
4. The Chair of Finance and
Economic Committee
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS WHO
CONSTITUTE THE COUNCIL OFFICE:
1. Approve the Council’s Agenda.
2. Review the comments of
members on the minutes of
meetings.
3. Discuss the Council’s Budget
and the final account.
4. Follow up the committees’
activities and coordinate them.
5. Analyze the reports of
delegates of special duties
before reporting to the Council.
6. Administers the Council when
the members are on recess.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are five committees in the
Council. The Finance and
Economy, Legal and Legislative
Committees have 8 members each
while the others have seven
members. Other Committees may be
formed as the need arise.
The Presiding Officer of the
Council does not belong to any
Committee. Each Committee has a
Chairman, Deputy Chairman and a
Secretary from the staff. The
Chairmen and Deputies are
elected by the Committee members
for a renewable one tenure. The
Committees have as function to
study the Draft Bills and any
other Proposal referred to it
from the Council and report back
to the Council for discussion.
The Committee chairman sets the
Agenda of the meetings, convenes
the meetings, endorses the
minutes of meetings, reports to
the Speaker and represents his
Committee when necessary.
There are no Political Parties
represented in the Council but
Political Associations exist
whose numbers are not known.
The Council has no oversight
function on the other arms of
Government but is involved in
the Foreign Policy Process of
the Country by legislating on
Draft Bills relating to
Agreements and Accords.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PERFORMS
OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES LIKE:
1. Deliberating on Draft laws in
conjunction with the lower House
before the King could issue
them.
2. Members of the Council
propose Bills which when passed,
could affect the decisions of
Government.
3. The Council also oversees the
Cabinet and can question the
Ministers.
The Council’s business is
covered by the decree no 55 of
the year 2002.
The Relationships between the
chamber and other arms of
Government are contained in many
mandates and procedures in the
Parliament’s laws and
constitution, and in the
Council’s rules of procedure.
The rules of procedure of the
Council were decreed by law and
it can be amended by a proposal
by the Council members which
will then be deliberated upon
and perhaps passed.
Members of the Council cannot be
questioned or arrested for an
opinion expressed in the chamber
or its committees. If any member
has to face the law, it must be
with the approval of the Speaker
of the Council.
The Shoora Council of Bahrain is
autonomous in the recruitment of
staff. The Council is also in
control of its budget. It agrees
with the Government on its
budget and funds are released.
ADDRESS
P.O Box 10105 Manawah
Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone: 0097317716500
Fax: 0097317715715
Website: www.shura.com.bh
CURRENT SPEAKER
Dr. Faisal Reda Al Mawsawee
Tenure: 4 years
Next election: 2006
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THE STATE COUNCIL (MAJILIS
ALOMMA) OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN |
Top |
There are a total of 58 members
in the State Council of Oman, 49
Males and 9 Females, all
appointed by His Majesty, the
Sultan of Oman for 4-year
renewable tenure. They can also
be removed by the authority of
the same King if they fail in
their duties. The Sultan also
has the power vested in him to
dissolve the entire Council
within the tenure or at the
expiration of the tenure.
The Council is convened by a
proclamation by His Majesty, the
Sultan and sits for not less
than eight months. The State
Council and the lower chamber
make up what the Oman Council.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer of the
State Council of Oman is called
the President, appointed at the
same time with others by His
Majesty, the Sultan of Oman for
4-year tenure. The Sultan can
also remove him and he cannot
retain his seat as a member of
the Council in the even of the
later.
He comes after the Prime
Minister in the Country’s
National Order of Precedence.
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF HIS DUTIES
INCLUDES:
1. The supervision of the
Council’s rules and activities.
2. Presiding of the Chamber
meetings.
3. Represents the Council in
official engagements.
4. He also supervises the budget
preparation of the Council
before it is presented in the
chamber.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS ARE:
1. Deputy President
2. The Chairs of the Committees
3. The Secretary General
These officers are all elected
with the exception of the
Secretary General who is
appointed by the Sultan. The
elected officers can be removed
by the same Council that elected
them if they fall short of the
membership stipulations.
THE FUNCTIONS OF OTHER
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
1. The Deputy President presides
over the Council’s meetings in
the absence of the President and
takes care of the Council’s
office.
2. The Chairs of the Committees
preside over the activities of
their different Committees.
3. The Secretary General is in
charge of the General
Administration of the Council.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
The State Council of Sultanate
of Oman runs a Committee System.
There are five Committees in the
Council each having a membership
of between 10 to 13 members. The
President of Council does not
belong to any Committee. Each
Committee has a Chairman and a
Vice Chairman. The Chairmen of
the Committees are elected by
the different Committees for a
4-year renewable tenure. The
power also rests in the members
of the Committees to replace any
Chairman if the need arises
before the end of the tenure.
The Committees have as roles in
the legislative process to study
and analyze issues referred to
it and present report on them.
FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
The Council studies to enhance
and execute the development plan
of the country. It also presents
proposals to encourage
investment in different fields,
the development of manpower or
human resources and the
improvement of performance at
different Government organs. It
also reviews bills before it can
be signed into law. The Council
also studies and analyses any
other matter that is referred to
it from the Sultan and from the
Cabinet.
The State Council of Oman has
standing rules for its business,
which can also be amended by the
Council but the basic laws can
only be amended by a law issued
by His Majesty, the Sultan.
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