Article 14 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 14 من نظام البلديات والقرى
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the method of electing municipal council members, voters' conditions, and the voting and challenge procedures.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية طريقة انتخاب أعضاء المجالس البلدية والشروط الخاصة بالناخبين وإجراءات الاقتراع والطعن.
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 is a referral article; it does not set the election rules itself, but leaves four matters to the Implementing Regulations:
- The method of electing municipal council members.
- The conditions for voters, that is, who is entitled to vote.
- The voting procedures, that is, how voting is carried out and organized.
- The challenge procedures, that is, how to object to the election or its results.
This means that anyone looking for details such as how a voter registers, how much time is allowed for a challenge, or the body to which it is submitted will not find them in the text of the law, but in the Implementing Regulations. This article alone should not be relied on to learn any deadline or body for a challenge.
Note the difference between the conditions for a voter, which this article refers to the Regulations, and the restrictions on a candidate, which the law itself sets; Article 13, for example, bars a council member from holding membership of two councils, from being an employee of the municipality unless a year has passed since resigning or being transferred, from contracting for the municipality's works, and from chairing or managing a company connected with its works.
It is followed by Article 15, which turns to the work of the council after it is formed, requiring it to meet at least once a month on an invitation that includes an agenda. Anyone with an objection to an election process should consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases to learn what the Regulations provide.
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 14 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
Where can I find the method for municipal council elections?
The article refers the method of election to the Implementing Regulations of the law.
How do I challenge the result of a municipal election?
The article provides that the Implementing Regulations set the challenge procedures; the law itself does not state a deadline or body for a challenge.
More articles on Formation of the Municipal Council
- Article 6
The article distributes authority in the municipality between the municipal council, which exercises decision and oversight, and the head of the municipality, who exercises execution with the help of municipal bodies.
يتولى السلطات في البلدية : 1 - المجلس البلدي ، ويمارس سلطة التقرير والمراقبة. 2 - رئيس البلدية ، ويمارس سلطة التنفيذ بمعاونة أجهزة البلدية .
- Article 8
The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs sets by decision the number of municipal council members in each municipality, between 4 and 14, and the head of the municipality is among them.
يحدد وزير الشئون البلدية والقروية بقرار منه عدد أعضاء المجلس البلدي في كل بلدية، على أن لا يقل عن أربعة ولا يزيد على أربعة عشر عضوا، ويكون من بينهم رئيس البلدية
- Article 9
Half of the municipal council members are chosen by election, and the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs chooses the other half from those with competence and eligibility.
يتم اختيار نصف الأعضاء بالانتخاب، ويختار وزير الشئون البلدية والقروية النصف الآخر من ذوي الكفاءة والأهلية.
- Article 10
The municipal council chooses its chairman and deputy from among its members for two years, renewable, and the Minister's decision tips the balance when votes are tied between candidates.
يختار المجلس البلدي رئيسه ونائبه من بين أعضائه بصفة دورية لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد، وإذا تساوت الأصوات بين المرشحين، فيعتبر قرار وزير الشئون البلدية والقروية مر
- Article 12
The article regulates naming municipal council members, filling vacant seats, when the council is dissolved or dissolved early, and its term of 4 years from the date of the naming decision.
أ - يصدر وزير الشئون البلدية والقروية قرارا بتسمية أعضاء المجلس المنتخبين والمعينين، ولا يجوز تعديل عدد أعضاء المجلس البلدي خلال فترة ولايته. ب - إذا شغرت عضوية
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.