Article 14 of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Law
المادة 14 من نظام الغرف التجارية · الفصل الثاني: الأجهزة الإدارية للغرفة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 السري لكل منهم على حدة، ويقع الاختيار على الحاصل على الأغلبية المطلقة بالنسبة إلى عدد أصوات أعضاء المجلس الحاضرين. فإذا لم تتحقق هذه الأغلبية، يُعاد التصويت مباشرة، وعند التساوي -في حالة الإعادة- في عدد الأصوات تجرى قرعة بينهم بحضور مندوب من الوزارة إذا رأت الوزارة الحاجة إلى ذلك.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article explains how the Chamber's president and his two deputies are chosen after the board of directors is formed.
- Timing: The board holds its first meeting within the period the Implementing Regulations specify.
- The posts: The board's chair, the first deputy and the second deputy, chosen from among the board's members.
- Method of voting: Secret ballot, for each post separately.
- Majority required: The one who obtains an absolute majority of the votes of the board members present wins.
- If no majority is reached: The vote is repeated immediately.
- If votes are tied in the repeat: A draw is held between those tied, in the presence of a Ministry representative if the Ministry sees a need for that.
An absolute majority means more than half the votes of those present. If 15 members attend, a candidate needs at least 8 votes.
This article connects to Article 13, which explains how the board is completed when there are few candidates, and to Article 15, which provides that the first deputy takes the president's place when he is absent or loses membership, and the second deputy takes the president's place when the president and the first deputy are absent or lose membership. The order of the first and second deputies determined by this election therefore has a practical effect on running the Chamber.
Practical example
At the first meeting of one chamber's board, 16 members attended, and three members stood for the board's chair, none of whom received more than half the votes. The vote is repeated immediately, and if two tie in the repeat a draw is held between them, attended by a Ministry representative if the Ministry sees fit.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Law
How is the president of a chamber of commerce elected?
The board's members elect him from among themselves by secret ballot at the board's first meeting, and the one who obtains an absolute majority of the votes of those present wins.
What happens when votes are tied in electing the president?
If no majority is reached, the vote is repeated immediately, and on a tie in the repeat a draw is held in the presence of a Ministry representative if the Ministry sees a need for that.
How many deputies does a chamber of commerce president have?
The president has two deputies, the first deputy and the second deputy, each elected separately.
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 13
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.
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-
- 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.