Article 17 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 17 من نظام المناطق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 إقامته في المنطقة.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article sets the conditions of membership in the Provincial Council, which are four:
- Nationality: to be a Saudi national by origin and birth.
- Reputation: to be among those recognized for integrity and competence.
- Age: not to be under 30 years of age.
- Residence: to reside in the province.
Note that the nationality condition is a strict one: being Saudi is not enough, as the member must be Saudi by origin and birth. The residence condition also ties the member to the province he represents.
The text says "a member of the council" without distinction, and the article does not state expressly whether the conditions also apply to members by virtue of their posts or only to the appointed citizens.
This article follows Article 16, which sets the council's composition: the emir of the province as chair, his deputy, the deputy of the emirate, the heads of government bodies specified by a resolution of the Prime Minister, and not fewer than ten citizens of knowledge, experience and expertise appointed for a renewable four-year term. It is followed by Article 18, which gives a member the right to submit written proposals to the chair of the council on matters within the council's competence, which the chair must include in the agenda.
Anyone who wishes to know whether the conditions apply to them can consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
Khaled is a Saudi national by origin and birth, aged 35, resident in the Qassim province, and a person of experience recognized for integrity and competence. He meets the conditions of membership set out in this article for the Qassim Provincial Council.
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 17 of the Saudi Provinces Law
What are the conditions for membership of the Provincial Council?
The member must be a Saudi national by origin and birth, recognized for integrity and competence, not under thirty years of age, and resident in the province.
What is the minimum age of a Provincial Council member?
Thirty years.
Can a Provincial Council member be from outside the province?
The member is required to reside in the province.
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 16Amended by A/21
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.
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 يصد
- 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.