Article 22 of the Saudi Provinces Law
المادة 22 من نظام المناطق
The article requires that, when an appointed member's place falls vacant, a replacement be appointed within three months of the vacancy, for the remainder of his predecessor's term, under item (e) of Article 16.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
في حالة خلو مكان أي عضو معين لأي سبب من الأسباب، يعين بدله خلال مدة ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ الخلو، وتكون مدة العضو الجديد هي المدة الباقية من مدة سلفه. وذلك وفقا لما ورد في الفقرة (هـ) من المادة السادسة عشرة من هذا النظام.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article deals with the vacancy of an appointed member's seat on the Provincial Council:
- When: when the place of any appointed member falls vacant for any reason, such as resignation, removal or otherwise.
- Deadline: the replacement is appointed within three months of the date of the vacancy.
- The replacement's term: the remainder of his predecessor's term, not a new full term.
- Method of appointment: in accordance with item (e) of Article 16.
Item (e) of Article 16 provides that the citizen members, a number of not fewer than ten persons of knowledge, experience and expertise, 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, for a renewable term of four years. The same procedure is therefore followed in appointing the replacement.
An example of calculating the term: if a member's seat falls vacant one year into his four-year term, the replacement completes the remaining three years.
This article follows Article 21, which does not permit the removal of an appointed member during his term of membership, except in the cases provided for in the Law, other than by order of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Interior. It is followed by Article 23, which sets the competences of the Provincial Council. Anyone who needs to know their rights as a replacement member can consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
An appointed member of the Tabuk Provincial Council resigns two years into his four-year term. A replacement must be appointed within three months of the date the seat falls vacant, by order of the Prime Minister on the nomination of the emir of the province and with the approval of the Minister of Interior, and the replacement completes the remaining two years.
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 22 of the Saudi Provinces Law
What is the deadline for appointing a replacement for a Provincial Council member?
Three months from the date the place falls vacant.
How long is a replacement member's term?
The remainder of his predecessor's term.
How is a replacement member appointed?
In accordance with item (e) of Article 16, that is, by order of the Prime Minister on the nomination of the emir of the province and with the approval of the Minister of Interior.
Articles this article refers to
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.