Article 20 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 20 من نظام البلديات والقرى
The municipal council takes decisions by a majority of those present, the chairman's or deputy's vote tips a tie, and voting is open but may be secret in important cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
أ - يتخذ المجلس البلدي قراراته بأكثرية أصوات أعضائه الحاضرين، وفي حالة التساوي يكون صوت الرئيس أو نائبه في حال غيابه مرجحا.
ب - يجرى التصويت بطريقة الاقتراع العلني، ويجوز للمجلس أن يقرر في بعض الحالات الهامة إجراء الاقتراع سريا.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article regulates how the municipal council takes its decisions, in two paragraphs:
Paragraph (a): The required majority.
- A decision is made by a majority of the votes of the members present, not by a majority of all the members.
- If votes are tied, the chairman's vote tips the balance, or that of the deputy in the chairman's absence.
Paragraph (b): The method of voting.
- The rule is that voting takes place openly.
- The council may decide on a secret ballot in some important cases. The article does not specify these cases, but leaves their assessment to the council.
This provision applies only to a valid session; Article 19 requires, for a session to be valid, that a majority of the members attend. Once that quorum is met, the decision is made by a majority of those present under this article.
It is followed by Article 21, which allows the council to form committees from some of its members to look into particular cases, with the committee submitting its result to the council so that the council takes the necessary decision; that is, the decision remains with the council and is made by the majority this article sets.
Practical example
Eight members attended a municipal council session in Al-Baha, with 4 voting for a decision and 4 against. Under paragraph (a), the side the chairman voted with prevails, or the side the deputy voted with if the chairman is absent.
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 20 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
How are municipal council decisions made?
By a majority of the votes of the members present.
What happens when votes are tied in the municipal council?
The chairman's vote tips the balance, or the deputy's vote in the chairman's absence.
Is voting in the municipal council secret?
The rule is that it is open, and the council may decide on a secret ballot in some important cases.
More articles on Municipal Council Meetings and Decisions
- Article 15
The municipal council meets at least once a month on an invitation that includes an agenda, a member's written request made 4 days ahead must be added to it, and the council may not discuss items not on the agenda.
يجتمع المجلس البلدي في المكان المخصص له مرة في الشهر على الأقل بناء على دعوة رئيسه أو نائبه في حال غيابه، ويجب أن تشتمل الدعوة على جدول الأعمال، وعلى الرئيس أو
- Article 16
The chairman of the municipal council may call an emergency session, and must if most members ask; it is held within two days of the request arriving and discusses only its own matters.
يجوز لرئيس المجلس البلدي دعوة المجلس لعقد جلسة طارئة كلما رأى ضرورة لذلك، وعلى الرئيس دعوة المجلس لجلسة طارئة إذا طلب منه ذلك أكثر أعضاء المجلس، وتعقد الجلسة خل
- Article 17
The chairman or any member of the municipal council must leave the session when a case relating to a private interest of theirs is discussed, and the council decides by secret ballot in their absence.
على رئيس المجلس أو أي عضو من أعضائه مغادرة الجلسة في كل مرة يبحث فيها المجلس قضية تتعلق بصورة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة بمصلحة خاصة له، وعلى المجلس أن يتخذ القرار با
- Article 18
Municipal council sessions are confidential, and the council may invite anyone whose presence it finds useful to attend, without a right to vote.
جلسات المجلس البلدي سرية، وللمجلس أن يدعو لحضور جلسات المجلس أي شخص يرى فائدة في حضوره، دون أن يكون له حق التصويت.
- Article 19
Municipal council sessions are not valid unless a majority of the members attend.
لا تعتبر جلسات المجلس البلدي نظامية إلا بحضور الأغلبية للأعضاء.
- Article 21
The municipal council may form committees from some of its members to look into particular cases, with the result submitted to the council so that it takes the necessary decision.
يجوز للمجلس تشكيل لجان من بعض أعضائه للنظر في قضايا معينة، ورفع النتيجة فيها إلى المجلس لاتخاذ القرار اللازم.
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.