Article 20 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 20 من نظام المناطق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 اقتراح وزير الداخلية.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article sets out the procedure for the resignation of an appointed member of the Provincial Council:
- Submitting the request: the member submits his resignation request to the Minister of Interior.
- The route: this is done through the emir of the province, not directly.
- Taking effect: the resignation is not considered effective until the Prime Minister approves it, on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Merely submitting the request therefore does not end the membership; it remains in place until approval is given. It follows that the member remains a member during this period, according to the text of the article.
Note that, by its text, the article is specific to the appointed member.
This article follows Article 19, which bars a member from attending the deliberations of the council or its committees if the subject concerns his personal interest, that of a person whose testimony for him is not accepted, or if he is a guardian, trustee or agent of a person with an interest. It is followed by Article 21, which provides that, except in the cases provided for in the Law, an appointed member may not be removed during his term of membership except by order of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Anyone who wishes to resign and needs to understand the procedure can consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
An appointed member of the Jazan Provincial Council has moved to work in another province and wants to resign. He submits his request to the Minister of Interior through the emir of Jazan, and his resignation does not take effect until the Prime Minister approves it on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
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 20 of the Saudi Provinces Law
How does a Provincial Council member resign?
He submits a request to the Minister of Interior through the emir of the province.
When does a Provincial Council member's resignation take effect?
After the Prime Minister approves it on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
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 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 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.