Article 26 of the Saudi Municipalities Law

This article sets out when and how a municipal council member loses membership against the member's will.

The method: by a decision of the municipal council, subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs. A council decision alone is not enough.

The cases:

1. Losing one of the conditions for standing set out in the law, or it being found after naming that the member lacked one of them from the start.
2. Proof that the member exploited the status of membership to obtain a personal benefit, or harmed the municipality's interests.
3. Absence: if invited and the member fails, without an excuse the Minister accepts, to attend 3 consecutive sessions, or 6 sessions within one year.

Note that the third case has two conditions: that the invitation was sent to the member, and that the absence was without an excuse accepted by the Minister, not by the council. The second case also requires proof; a mere accusation is not enough.

These cases differ from resignation, which Article 25 regulates, as the member submits it personally to the Minister to decide on it. The article is followed by Article 27, under which the Minister sets by regulation the monthly remuneration of chairmen and members of municipal councils and their assignment and travel expenses.

Anyone facing a decision to remove their membership should consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.