Shura Council of Kingdom of Bahrain
CURRENT SPEAKER
Dr. ali Bin salih al-salih
There are 40 members in the Shoora Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain made up of 31 males and 9 females, all appointed by the King for tenure of 4 years, which can be extended but the Council is never dissolved.
The Speaker is appointed by the King and can also be removed by the King before the expiration of his tenure. His removal could be for the reason of another appointment violation of rules and regulations etc. The chamber meets weekly by a call from the Speaker.
The Kingdom of Bahrain runs a bi-cameral legislative system. The two chambers must approve any proposed bill before it is passed. Where there is a disagreement, they constitute the National Council presided over by the Speaker of the Shoora Council to vote on the issue of dispute. The Council must sit for at least seven months in a year.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Presiding Officer is the Speaker of the Council. He is appointed at the same time with others for a period of 4 years. He precedes the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the parliament.
SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SPEAKER CAN BE STATED AS:
1. Representing the Council and overseeing the activities of General Secretariat.
2. Presides over the sessions of the Council.
3. He assigns matters to different committees and Chairs the Committees when it is urgent.
As stated earlier the Presiding Officer, Principal Officers and the members can be removed before the expiration of their tenure for reasons best known to the King.
A removed Speaker or other Principal Officer may retain their seats in the Council as members depending on the King’s decision.
OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL ARE:
1. The First Deputy Speaker
2. The Second Deputy Speaker
3. The Chair of Legal and Legislations Committee
4. The Chair of Finance and Economic Committee
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS WHO CONSTITUTE THE COUNCIL OFFICE:
1. Approve the Council’s Agenda.
2. Review the comments of members on the minutes of meetings.
3. Discuss the Council’s Budget and the final account.
4. Follow up the committees’ activities and coordinate them.
5. Analyze the reports of delegates of special duties before reporting to the Council.
6. Administers the Council when the members are on recess.
COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are five committees in the Council. The Finance and Economy, Legal and Legislative Committees have 8 members each while the others have seven members. Other Committees may be formed as the need arise.
The Presiding Officer of the Council does not belong to any Committee. Each Committee has a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and a Secretary from the staff. The Chairmen and Deputies are elected by the Committee members for a renewable one tenure. The Committees have as function to study the Draft Bills and any other Proposal referred to it from the Council and report back to the Council for discussion.
The Committee chairman sets the Agenda of the meetings, convenes the meetings, endorses the minutes of meetings, reports to the Speaker and represents his Committee when necessary.
There are no Political Parties represented in the Council but Political Associations exist whose numbers are not known.
The Council has no oversight function on the other arms of Government but is involved in the Foreign Policy Process of the Country by legislating on Draft Bills relating to Agreements and Accords.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PERFORMS OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES LIKE:
1. Deliberating on Draft laws in conjunction with the lower House before the King could issue them.
2. Members of the Council propose Bills which when passed, could affect the decisions of Government.
3. The Council also oversees the Cabinet and can question the Ministers.
The Council’s business is covered by the decree no 55 of the year 2002.
The Relationships between the chamber and other arms of Government are contained in many mandates and procedures in the Parliament’s laws and constitution, and in the Council’s rules of procedure.
The rules of procedure of the Council were decreed by law and it can be amended by a proposal by the Council members which will then be deliberated upon and perhaps passed.
Members of the Council cannot be questioned or arrested for an opinion expressed in the chamber or its committees. If any member has to face the law, it must be with the approval of the Speaker of the Council.
The Shoora Council of Bahrain is autonomous in the recruitment of staff. The Council is also in control of its budget. It agrees with the Government on its budget and funds are released.
ADDRESS
P.O Box 10105 Manawah
Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone: 0097317716500
Fax: 0097317715715
Website: www.shura.bh
