Article 21 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 21 من نظام المناطق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article protects the stability of the membership of appointed members of the Provincial Council:
- The rule: an appointed member may not be removed during his term of membership.
- The exception: removal is permitted by order of the Prime Minister, on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
- Scope of the provision: it applies except in the cases provided for in this Law.
The phrase "except in the cases provided for in this Law" means that there are other cases provided for by the Law in which membership may end in a different way, and this article does not deal with them. Outside those cases, removal is only by the instrument mentioned.
The evident purpose is that the member can perform his role independently, without being exposed to removal by a decision of a lower authority.
This article follows 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 it takes effect only with the Prime Minister's approval on the Minister's proposal. It is followed by Article 22, which requires that, when the place of any appointed member falls vacant for any reason, a replacement be appointed within three months of the date of the vacancy, for the remainder of his predecessor's term.
Anyone facing the termination of their membership 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 21 of the Saudi Provinces Law
Can a Provincial Council member be removed before his term ends?
Except in the cases provided for in the Law, he may not be removed other than by order of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Who proposes the removal of a Provincial Council member?
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 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
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.