Article 9 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 9 من نظام البلديات والقرى
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتم اختيار نصف الأعضاء بالانتخاب، ويختار وزير الشئون البلدية والقروية النصف الآخر من ذوي الكفاءة والأهلية.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article sets the method of choosing municipal council members, combining two routes:
- Election: half of the members are chosen this way.
- Choice by the Minister: the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs chooses the other half, and the text requires the choice to be from those with competence and eligibility.
The aim of this mix is for the council to combine representation of residents through election with the addition of members with experience and competence chosen by the Minister.
This split applies to the number the Minister sets under Article 8, which is between 4 and 14 members, the head of the municipality being among them. This article does not explain the election procedures themselves or how to stand as a candidate; it states the principle only.
After the council is formed, Article 10 provides that the council chooses its chairman and deputy from among its members for two years, renewable, and if votes are tied between candidates the Minister's decision tips the balance.
Anyone who wishes to stand for council membership needs to know the membership conditions set by the law, and to refer to the election rules that are issued.
Practical example
The Minister set the number of members of a municipal council in one of the governorates of the Eastern Province at 10 members. Under this article, 5 of them are chosen by election, and the Minister chooses the other 5 from those with competence and eligibility.
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 9 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
Are all municipal council members elected?
No. Half of the members are chosen by election, and the Minister chooses the other half.
On what basis does the Minister choose municipal council members?
The Minister chooses them from those with competence and eligibility, according to the text of the article.
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 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.