Article 19 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 19 من نظام المناطق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 لمن له مصلحة فيه.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article deals with conflict of interest in the Provincial Council. It bars a member from attending the deliberations of the council or its committees in these cases:
- If the subject concerns a personal interest of his.
- If it concerns the interest of a person whose testimony in his favor is not accepted.
- If the member is a guardian, a trustee or an agent of a person with an interest in the subject.
Note that the bar covers attendance itself, not only voting, and covers the deliberations of committees, not the council alone. The article does not specify those in whose favor the member's testimony is not accepted; that is referred to the rules established on the matter.
The evident purpose is to protect the integrity of the council's decisions and to ensure that a member does not influence a decision that affects his interest, or that of someone connected to him or whom he represents.
This article follows Article 18, which gives a member the right to submit written proposals to the chair on matters within the council's competence, which the chair must include in the agenda. It is followed by Article 20, which regulates the resignation of an appointed member: he submits his request to the Minister of Interior through the emir of the province, and the resignation does not take effect until the Prime Minister approves it on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Anyone who needs to assess a particular conflict-of-interest situation can consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
A road project that passes through land owned by one of the members is put before a Provincial Council. That member may not attend the deliberations of the council or its committees on this subject because it concerns a personal interest of his.
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 19 of the Saudi Provinces Law
When is a Provincial Council member barred from attending deliberations?
When the subject concerns his personal interest or that of a person whose testimony for him is not accepted, or when he is a guardian, trustee or agent of a person with an interest in it.
Does the bar cover the council's committees?
Yes. The article bars attendance at the deliberations of the council or its committees.
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 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 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.