Article 8 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 8 من نظام البلديات والقرى
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 .
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 8 explained in plain English
This article regulates the size of the municipal council in each municipality:
- Who sets the number? The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, by decision, for each municipality separately.
- Minimum and maximum: the number may not be less than 4 members nor more than 14 members.
- The head of the municipality: is among the council members.
The law did not set one number for all municipalities, but left it to the Minister to choose within this range depending on the municipality. The article does not state the criteria on which the Minister bases the choice of number.
The notable point is that the head of the municipality is a member of the council, although Article 6 gives the council the power of decision and oversight and the head of the municipality the power of execution. The head's presence in the council links the body that decides with the body that executes.
Article 9 explains how these members are chosen: half of them by election, and the Minister chooses the other half from those with competence and eligibility. Article 7 makes the Minister the administrative reference of the municipality and authorizes the Minister to specify which council decisions are subject to the Minister's approval.
Practical example
The Minister issued a decision that the number of municipal council members in one of the municipalities of the Hail region would be 8 members. This number falls within the range the article allows, and the head of the municipality is one of these members.
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 8 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
How many members does a municipal council have?
The Minister sets it by decision for each municipality, at no fewer than 4 and no more than 14 members.
Is the head of the municipality a member of the municipal council?
Yes. The article provides that the head of the municipality is among the council members.
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 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
- Article 14
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the method of electing municipal council members, voters' conditions, and the voting and challenge procedures.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية طريقة انتخاب أعضاء المجالس البلدية والشروط الخاصة بالناخبين وإجراءات الاقتراع والطعن.
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.