Article 13 of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Law
المادة 13 من نظام الغرف التجارية · الفصل الثاني: الأجهزة الإدارية للغرفة
The thirteenth article provides that candidates win by acclamation if they do not exceed the elected seats, and lets the Minister fill any shortfall from qualified subscribers.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا لم يترشح لانتخابات عضوية مجلس إدارة الغرفة أكثر من العدد المحدد شغله عن طريق الانتخابات، توقف إجراءات الانتخابات ويُعد جميع المترشحين فائزين بالتزكية.
2- إذا كان عدد الفائزين بالتزكية أقل من العدد المحدد شغله عن طريق الانتخاب، يصدر الوزير قرارًا باستكمال العدد من بين المشتركين في الغرفة الذين تتوافر فيهم الشروط المحددة في المادة (السادسة عشرة) من النظام.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of too few candidates in the Chamber's board elections.
First case: the number of candidates does not exceed the seats
- If no more than the number set to be filled by election stand, the election procedures stop.
- And all the candidates are considered to have won by acclamation with no need for a vote.
Second case: those who won by acclamation are fewer than the seats
- If the number of those who won by acclamation is less than the number set to be filled by election, the Minister issues a decision to complete the number.
- The completion is from among the Chamber's subscribers who meet the conditions of Article 16.
The conditions of Article 16 are: experience of not less than 10 years, or 5 years for a bachelor's degree holder or the equivalent; a valid entry in the commercial register for the last three years before standing or appointment, with the annual subscription paid; no judgment for an offense involving dishonor or breach of trust unless rehabilitated; not being a board member of another chamber; none of his relatives being among the candidates; and submitting a declaration of commitment to the objectives of membership.
This article complements Article 12, which refers the nomination and election procedures to the Implementing Regulations, and comes before Article 14, which regulates the board's first meeting to elect its chair and two deputies. The result is that the board is completed in every case, whether by election, by acclamation or by the Minister completing it.
Practical example
In one governorate's chamber the number of elected seats was 12, and only 9 people stood. The election stops and the nine are considered to have won by acclamation, then the Minister issues a decision completing the three seats from subscribers who meet the conditions of Article 16.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Law
When does a candidate win by acclamation in chamber of commerce elections?
If no more than the number set to be filled by election stand, the elections stop and all the candidates are considered to have won by acclamation.
What happens if the number of candidates is less than the seats?
The Minister issues a decision completing the number from the Chamber's subscribers who meet the conditions of Article 16.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Chamber Board Elections
- Article 9
The ninth article sets the powers of the Chamber's general assembly, including electing two thirds of the board members and approving the annual report, budget, final account and internal regulations.
تختص الجمعية العمومية للغرفة بما يأتي: 1- انتخاب ثلثي أعضاء مجلس الإدارة، ويجوز للوزير الموافقة على انتخاب نصف أعضاء مجلس الإدارة في حالات يُقدرها. 2- مناقشة ال
- Article 11
The eleventh article sets the board's term at four years and its size at no more than 18 members, allows extending the board when elections are late, and lets the Minister appoint a third.
1- يُشكّل مجلس إدارة الغرفة كل (أربع) سنوات من عدد من الأعضاء يُحدد بقرار من الوزير، على ألا يزيد عددهم على (ثمانية عشر) عضواً. 2- يجوز للوزير في حال انتهاء دور
- Article 12
The twelfth article refers board election procedures to the Implementing Regulations, bars electing more than one member from a single establishment, removes any financial pay for a member, and limits candidacy to two consecutive terms.
1- تُحدد اللائحة إجراءات الترشح والانتخاب بما في ذلك ضوابط الانتخاب الفردي وانتخاب المجموعات، وإجراءات الاقتراع والاعتراض والطعن، وتشكيل لجان الإشراف على الانتخ
- Article 14
The fourteenth article regulates electing the chair of the Chamber's board and two deputies at the board's first meeting by secret ballot and absolute majority, with a re-vote and a draw on a tie.
يعقد مجلس إدارة الغرفة أول اجتماع له خلال المدة التي تحددها اللائحة لاختيار رئيس المجلس ونائبيه الأول والثاني من بين أعضاء المجلس، ويكون الانتخاب بالاقتراع السر
- Article 18
The eighteenth article regulates filling a vacated seat on the Chamber's board by appointing the highest-polling candidate among those who did not win, or by the Minister appointing a replacement.
إذا خلا محل عضو منتخب في مجلس إدارة الغرفة لأي من الأسباب المنصوص عليها في المادة (السابعة عشرة) من النظام، يعين بقرار من الوزير المترشح الحائز على أكثر الأصوات
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.