Article 16 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 16 من نظام المناطق
The article sets the Provincial Council's composition: the emir as chair, his deputy, the emirate's deputy, specified heads of government bodies, and at least ten citizens appointed for a renewable four-year term.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يتكون مجلس المنطقة من:
أ - أمير المنطقة رئيسا للمجلس.
ب - نائب أمير المنطقة نائبا لرئيس المجلس.
جـ - وكيل الامارة
د - رؤساء الأجهزة الحكومية في المنطقة التي يصدر بتحديدها قرار من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على توصية من وزير الداخلية.
هـ - عدد من الأهالي لايقل عن عشرة أشخاص، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، يتم تعيينهم بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على ترشيح أمير المنطقة، وموافقة وزير الداخلية، وتكون مدة عضويتهم أربع سنوات قابلة للتجديد.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article sets out who makes up the Provincial Council:
- The emir of the province as chair of the council.
- The deputy emir of the province as vice-chair of the council.
- The deputy of the emirate.
- The heads of government bodies in the province who are specified by a resolution of the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Minister of Interior; so not every head of a body is automatically a member.
- A number of citizens, not fewer than ten, of knowledge, experience and expertise:
- They are appointed by order of the Prime Minister.
- On the nomination of the emir of the province and with the approval of the Minister of Interior.
- Their term of membership is four years, renewable.
The council thus combines members by virtue of their posts (the emir, his deputy, the deputy of the emirate and the specified heads of bodies) with members appointed from among the citizens. The four-year term, by the article's text, concerns the appointed citizens.
Item (c) was amended by Royal Order No. (A/21) dated 30/3/1414 AH so that it reads "the deputy of the emirate".
This article follows Article 15, which establishes the Provincial Council and makes its seat the seat of the emirate, and precedes Article 17, which requires a member to be a Saudi national by origin and birth, of recognized integrity and competence, not under thirty years of age, and resident in the province. Anyone interested in membership of the council can consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
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 16 of the Saudi Provinces Law
Who are the members of the Provincial Council?
The emir of the province as chair, his deputy as vice-chair, the deputy of the emirate, the heads of government bodies specified by a resolution of the Prime Minister, and at least ten citizens.
How long is a citizen's term on the Provincial Council?
Four years, renewable.
How are citizens appointed to the Provincial Council?
By order of the Prime Minister, on the nomination of the emir of the province and with the approval of the Minister of Interior.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. A/21 — 30/3/1414 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدل البند (جـ) وذلك بموجب الأمر الملكي رقم (أ / 21) وتاريخ 30 / 3 / 1414هـ، ليكون بالنص الآتي:
جـ - وكيل الامارة
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يتكون مجلس المنطقة من:
أ - أمير المنطقة رئيسا للمجلس.
ب - نائب أمير المنطقة نائبا لرئيس المجلس.
جـ - وكيل الامارة ومحافظي المحافظات.
د - رؤساء الأجهزة الحكومية في المنطقة التي يصدر بتحديدها قرار من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على توصية من وزير الداخلية.
هـ - عدد من الأهالي لايقل عن عشرة أشخاص، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، يتم تعيينهم بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على ترشيح أمير المنطقة، وموافقة وزير الداخلية، وتكون مدة عضويتهم أربع سنوات قابلة للتجديد.
More articles on Formation and Membership of the Regional Council
- Article 15
The article provides for a council in each province called the Provincial Council, seated at the seat of the provincial emirate.
ينشأ في كل منطقة مجلس يسمى مجلس المنطقة، يكون مقره مقر إمارة المنطقة.
- Article 17
The article requires a Provincial Council member to be a Saudi national by origin and birth, of recognized integrity and competence, at least 30 years old, and resident in the province.
يشترط في عضو المجلس ما يلي: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل والمنشأ. ب - أن يكون من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والكفاية. ج - أن لا يقل عمره عن ثلاثين سنة. د - أن تكون
- Article 18
The article gives a Provincial Council member the right to submit written proposals to the council chair on matters within its competence, which the chair includes in the agenda for study.
للعضو أن يقدم اقتراحات إلى رئيس مجلس المنطقة كتابة، وذلك في الأمور الداخلة في اختصاص المجلس، ويدرج الرئيس كل اقتراح في جدول أعمال المجلس لعرضه ودراسته.
- Article 19
The article bars a Provincial Council member from attending the deliberations of the council or its committees on a subject that concerns his interest, that of a person whose testimony for him is not accepted, or that of a principal he represents.
لا يجوز لعضو مجلس المنطقة أن يحضر مداولات المجلس أو لجانه إذا كان الموضوع يتعلق بمصلحة شخصية له، أو مصلحة من لا تقبل شهادته له، أو كان وصيا، أو قيما، أو وكيلا ل
- Article 20
The article regulates the resignation of an appointed member: he submits his request to the Minister of Interior through the emir of the province, and it takes effect only with the Prime Minister's approval on the Minister's proposal.
إذا رغب العضو المعين في الاستقالة قدم طلبا بذلك إلى وزير الداخلية عن طريق أمير المنطقة، ولا تعتبر الاستقالة نافذة إلا بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء ، بناء على اق
- Article 21
The article bars removal of an appointed member during his term, except in cases provided for in the Law, other than by order of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
في غير الأحوال المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، لا يجوز عزل العضو المعين خلال مدة عضويته إلا بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على اقتراح وزير الداخلية.
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.